A recent article in the New York Times carried the alarming headline that "More Americans Are Giving Up Golf," mainly because people just don't have the time anymore to lollygag around the course when there is real WORK to be done--most often over the Web. But what about the insurance industry, which historically has conducted so much business with clubs in their hands? Is this trend not alarming?
(To read the full New York Times story, click here.)
The numbers are stark. According to the article:
--The total number of people who play golf has declined or remained flat each year since 2000, dropping to about 26 million from 30 million.
--Those who play 25 times a year or more fell to 4.6 million in 2005 from 6.9 million in 2000, a loss of about a third.
--Core players--those who golf eight or more times a year--have fallen to 15 million in 2006 from 17.7 million in 2000.
What's the problem? Time. (Who has a few hours to get away from it all anymore?) Money. (Companies are tightening up on expense accounts, and fewer individuals are able to afford the hefty club membership fees and equipment costs out of their own pockets.) Family. (It used to be that a guy would spend a weekend on the golf course, but today he's is more likely to be involved with his kids' activities--not a bad development, by the way.)
In any case, insurance has always included golf as a core element in its sales culture. At many industry conferences, golf tournaments remain a major feature.
But even with Crackberries and cell phones to keep people in touch no matter where they are, most people are having a harder and harder time justifying time away from their desks to play even nine holes. (I understand that many golf facilities ban the use of distracting mobile devices on the course, and more power to them--although cutting off the umbilical cord of business folk could be contributing to the decline in the number of players. Taking away a cell phone or PDA from a techie is like ripping a pacifier out of the mouth of a hungry baby!)
In any case, this development is really too bad. Frankly, I am no fan of the game. I've never even played--outside of the silly miniature version. (Tiger Woods has nothing to worry about when it comes to my putting, in any case).
Yet I lament the loss of leisure in our everyday lives--not just in off-hours, but on the job as well. Each advance in technology--note this blog--presents tremendous opportunities, but also piles more work on everyone, and ties each of us more and more tightly to our computers. Each new mobile device is another vital link to the world--and another step towards techno-tyranny! (That's one reason why I still do not have a PDA or I-Phone. Just because I can be in touch 24/7 doesn't mean I want to be.)
I also admit to being no fan of computer games, and the more sophisticated they get--what with avatars and second-lives and what have you, along with "social media" such as the Facebook/MySpace crowd--people in general, and kids in particular, are more and more connected, wired and isolated.
By contrast, a leisurely stroll on a beautiful green is a healthy way to mix business and pleasure, much to the benefit of all involved.
To lose that opportunity would be a shame. In the long run, passing on any real-life social activity to spend more time on your laptop will end up harming our mental and physical health, and might even limit productivity as more and more people burn out from techno-overload.
What do you folks think???
Comments (11)
I used to be a professional golfer, and I joined the insurance industry 20 years ago as an underwriter because I was told I would have more time to golf in the insurance business than as a club pro.
For the first five years, this was correct, but in the last eight years when I had children, golf has moved way back in priority. I estimate I have played 15 times in the past eight years.
I can still break 85, but mentally I know I don't have the time to get back into the low 70s anytime soon.
Posted by Michael Cummings | March 19, 2008 9:52 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 09:52
I was never very good, but used to play weekly in the league our company sponsored. I went the first eight years I worked here playing every week over the summer. We had as many as 120 employees in the league some years.
Now the league is about to fold. Only 30 employees are full-time members.
Posted by Hacker | March 19, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 10:29
I am not a golfer either, but I must congratulate you on a fine article.
The great major point you are making is that it is good to have fun and to have relationships with others, whether our personal or professional lives.
Technology should not keep us away from others and from fun. So I say.... long live golf (tennis, too)!
Posted by Doug Rost | March 19, 2008 10:48 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 10:48
We live in a hyper-competitive society that no longer allows us the luxury of doing business that way. Fewer independent companies, less middle-management, overseas competition, etc...
All these are contributing factors. I more or less gave up golf a few years ago because it's too expensive and I don't have that many clients on whom I can justify that kind of expense.
I still take the leisure time, but my wife and I walk around little towns or historic sites instead, so my leisure time goes to the most important person in my life.
As Sam points out, not a bad thing.
Posted by Aaron Stein | March 19, 2008 10:52 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 10:52
I keep track of my employees' golf scores my company pays for.
You might find it interesting, especally at raise time.
Posted by Jeff Burgener | March 19, 2008 2:09 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 14:09
I didn't learn to play golf until I was in the industry and found over the years that I only played when I was traveling on business. In fact, it took 10 years before I ever played on a New Jersey golf course where I live.
Now, however, my workload and responsibilities have changed and those opportunities have dewindled, but I have a nine-year-old son who is an amazing golfer, so now I only seem to play with him.
A great turn of events. Of course, he beats the pants off of me.
SAM RESPONDS:
Full disclosure--that nine-year-old golf prodigy you speak of is my godson, Jared! (That is he in the picture with this entry, by the way.) Tiger Woods, look out!!!
Posted by Rick Gilman | March 19, 2008 4:18 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 16:18
I couldn't agree more. I think it's better to do business face to face.
Dealings done over the phone are less personal. Trying to get something done via e-mail opens things up to misinterpretation and allows for people to use a more adversarial style they wouldn't necessarily use in person.
In-person meetings allow you to see the other side as a person and negotiations are more cooperative.
Posted by Tom Lucas | March 20, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on March 20, 2008 07:50
Apparently I am the minority here. I don't think that golf is that important in business any more. I have never lost a client because I didn't golf.
However, I have seen many an agent wast valuable marketing time by being on the golf course.
My clients are busy running their own businesses. They barely have time for me to take them to breakfast or lunch anymore. They seem to appreciate that I am not trying to occupy all of their time with leisure activities.
The only clients that I have run accross that want a golf partner are older and not as technologically connected.
I am not against meeting face to face or talking on the phone. I just think that more and more clients would rather not be bothered by a golf game.
Posted by Sara Polly | March 20, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on March 20, 2008 12:27
I am suspicious of all "relationship building" between producers and insurance company managements and staff, whether that be on golf courses, ski slopes, tennis courts, or otherwise.
Keep Adam Smith's observation in mind, to the effect that never do members of an industry gather together but that the discussion doesn't turn to ways to raise prices and reduce competion, or words to that effect.
Relations between carriers and producer OUGHT to be distant, formal, written and adversarial, not personal and friendly.
Posted by Mikk | March 21, 2008 12:21 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 12:21
Mikk,
I find your comments distasteful at best. "Distant" and "adversarial" are not the traits I want used by anyone I work with closely or from afar. We can be friendly and civil with each other without crossing boundaries or exhorting with each other in order to cut a "better deal."
Some of my best friends are underwriters with companies I do business with. This does not distort the reality of what their and my job is, in reference to supporting "our" clients.
I also find it a benefit to myself and my client if my "friendly" "non-adversarial" underwriter wants to help me ascertain what coverage is available for a client.
I'm not really sure what possible benefit there could be with having a "distant" or "adversarial" relationship with a carrier whom your client needs to complete a transaction.
The only conflict I can think of is "conflict of interest," which does not apply here as one does not work without the other.
Posted by Michael Burnell CIC, CRIS | March 25, 2008 2:43 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 14:43
Mikk, I agree with Michael in his post and concur that it "certainly would be a sorrier place if business relationships or any relattionship reverts to an adversarial or opponent level." Business transactions need not be winner/loser and the best are winner/winner.
Surely, the troubled former governor of New York experienced ALL the shortcomings of trying to do a job in that adversarial venue, and we saw what happened to him...and not just because he had reduced himself to paid companions.
The former governor was a long time on his downward, uncontrolled spiral of destruction, and his negative approach to everything left him a despised, embitterred, unthinking man.
So, yes, Virginia (Mikk), there is still a Santa Claus, and how awful for our world if he didn't exist. In business or under our tree, nice things do happen to nice people!
Posted by Joseph | March 26, 2008 7:20 PM
Posted on March 26, 2008 19:20