“What we’re living in right now, is a generational change.” That’s the view of Henry DeLozier, Principal at GGA Partners, speaking on the latest episode of the Changing the Business of Golf podcast.
In this episode, Henry joins host Gary Firkins to explore a key question for today’s industry: what does a well-run golf club really look like?
Drawing on Henry’s experience across golf club leadership, strategy, and industry insight, he reveals the three changes all golf course businesses can make to stay relevant, resilient, and successful long term.
Make Better Investment Decisions
Henry’s first change for the business of golf looks at why many clubs still make investment decisions without a clear, long-term plan - often driven by assumption rather than insight.
With more players picking up the game than ever before, he believes golf is going through a generational shift, and so understanding members, anticipating change, and making investments for the future are now critical for success.
Accelerate the Growth of Women’s Golf
The stats don’t lie. Golf clubs are 1.6x more likely to get the whole family playing if they get the mother, and our own groundbreaking research has shown that increased female participation represents a $35bn opportunity for golf.
Henry believes the sport is moving in the right direction, but argues there is still more to be done in accelerating the growth of golf’s fastest-growing audience.
He highlights how building more diverse workforces not only leads to better decision-making, but helps clubs become more welcoming, attract more women to the game, and ultimately improve business profitability.
Recognize the Importance of Environmental Sustainability
Henry’s final change focuses on recognizing the importance of environmental sustainability. While he believes golf clubs already deliver meaningful environmental initiatives, he argues they often fail to communicate this impact beyond their own “high hedges”.
So how can clubs change that? By empowering the superintendent to take the lead.
Golf courses deliver significant environmental benefits, as highlighted in our docuseries The Green Report [link], from providing vital habitats for wildlife and pollinators, to capturing and cleaning water, and offering valuable green space within urban environments. At the heart of these efforts are superintendents, who Henry describes as the true experts and stewards driving environmental progress across the game.
“If all in the world were as dedicated to environmental stewardship as golf course superintendents, we would live in a better world,” said Henry.
Listen or Watch the Full Episode
If you're a golf club owner or board member looking to future-proof your operations, watch the full conversation with Henry DeLozier today:
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Useful Links:
Syngenta Market Research: The Global Economic Value of Increased Female Participation in Golf
Changing the Business of Golf podcast
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