Golf can be a slow-moving game, but it does evolve.
Music is now commonplace on the course. Joggers are replacing slacks. And forget tracking rounds — golfers now are monitoring every swing. To better understand how golfers feel about some of these advancements, we asked them — nearly 10,000 of them, in fact, as part of our recent audience survey on all parts of the game.
In the results below, which in broad strokes highlight golfer behavior, you’ll also find insights into how everyday golfers feel about pace of play, dress codes and, yes, as our headline promises, which course condition most irritates them.
For more results from our survey, check out: How golfers feel about their own games | How golfers feel about the rules
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Do you belong to a private club?
Yes: 33%
No, not interested: 32%
No, but would like to if I could afford it: 23%
Used to, but no longer: 11%
Do you tend to play the same course over and over, or do you like to spread your dollars around?
Love my go-to course: 42%
Like to visit different courses: 58%
Do you think your local area offers enough affordable public golf?
Yes: 71%
No: 29%
How much are you comfortable/willing to pay for a Saturday-morning round at your local public course?
Less to $50: 32%
$51 to $75: 41%
$76 to $100: 17%
$101 to $125: 6%
$126 to $150: 2%
$151 to $200: 1%
More than $200: 1%
What’s the most you’d be willing to pay for a “bucket list” round?
No more than $100: 11%
No more than $200: 18%
No more than $300: 21%
No more than $400: 10%
No more than $500: 24%
Up to $1,000: 13%
More than $1,000: 3%
Which all-expenses-paid invite are you accepting first?
Augusta National: 51%
Old Course at St. Andrews: 16%
5 days at Bandon Dunes: 9%
5 days at and around Pebble Beach: 24%
Which would be your preference?
Dream course, random foursome: 40%
Random course, dream foursome: 60%
Do you prefer to walk or ride?
Walk: 38%
Ride: 62%
If a caddie is available to you but not required, do you take one?
Always: 8%
Sometimes: 36%
Never: 56%
Do you play music on the course?
Always: 6%
Sometimes: 31%
Never: 63%
What’s your general attitude toward music on the course?
Love it: 23%
Don’t love it, but can tolerate it: 51%
No place for it: 27%
Do you drink alcohol when you play golf?
Always: 4%
Sometimes: 29%
Rarely: 33%
Never: 34%
Do you gamble on the course?
Always: 12%
Sometimes: 58%
Never: 30%
If so, what’s the most you’ve lost betting with friends during a round?
$1 to $20: 72%
$21 to $50: 15%
$51 to $100: 7%
More than $100: 5%
More than $500: 1%
Do you use technology to track your stats/scores?
Always: 28%
Sometimes: 37%
Never: 35%
Do you track each shot during your rounds (vs just hole-by-hole scores)?
Always: 14%
Sometimes: 32%
Never: 54%
Which of these course conditions most irritates you?
Punched greens: 42%
Unraked bunkers: 35%
Unfilled divot holes in fairways: 23%
An acceptable time for an 18-hole round is…
5 hours or less: 2%
4.5 hours or less: 31%
4 hours or less: 56%
3.5 hours or less: 10%
3 hours or less: 1%
In your mind, your own pace of play is…
Faster than average: 64%
About average: 35%
Slower than average: 1%
How many balls do you typically lose in a round?
None: 25%
One: 47%
Two: 20%
Three to four: 7%
Five or more: 1%
Should golfers be permitted to play in whatever attire they chose (i.e., T-shirts, denim, etc.)?
Yes: 23%
No: 77%
How important is it to you to look good while playing?
Very important: 17%
Somewhat important: 57%
Don’t care as long as I hit it straight: 26%
Do you prefer your golf apparel with or without logos?
With logos: 53%
Without logos: 47%
How many pairs of golf shoes do you own?
1: 11%
2: 23%
3: 22%
4: 16%
5: 9%
More than 5: 19%
How many golf hats do you own?
1-2: 10%
3-5: 22%
6-10: 28%
11 to 20: 22%
21 to 30: 9%
More than 30: 9%
On average, how much do you spend on new golf apparel each year?
Less than $100: 22%
$100 to $300: 46%
$301 to $500: 20%
More than $500: 12%
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