FOR GOLF IN QUEENSLAND?
One could only assume that in any of the five
current Australian DST-states (NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS
and SA), golfers make use of the extra sunlight the
same way Americans do - making the Aussie golf
industry the undisputed winner. By squeezing in
that extra evening round after work, you’re not only
helping your own game, but also the economy.
There are some differences with time of year that
we have Summer, which here is over the Christmas
family period, so the impact may not be as strong,
but it looks that it potentially would still be
very favourable.
CEO of Golf NSW Stuart Fraser said he was unaware
of any specific details surrounding DST vis-à-vis
participation rates in the state, but stated however
that, “if you provide another hour of golfing time
to each day, you could comfortably assume an
increase in participation.”
“But to what extent, I can’t say.”
I was unable to get any official comments from Golf
Queensland, Golf Victoria or Golf Australia, mainly
because there is no available research. To me, this
seems like very valuable research that needs to be
undertaken and soon!
Many clubs around Australia are taking advantage
of the time switch every year, offering up discounted memberships in the afternoons or cheaper
‘Daylight Saving Rates’, indicating a demand in the
market for later rounds.
Despite the obvious benefits of boosted revenue
to certain industries in the US, the concept is not
nationally acclaimed, with both Hawaii and Arizona
sticking to standard time. Recent polls confirm that
a growing number of people strongly oppose the
century-old tradition. This year alone, a dozen US
states have attempted to cease the time switching,
citing health and safety concerns.
(continued next page)
Golf Industry Central Summer 2016
21