ABSTRACT
Golf has existed for over 600 years, but the game of today is considerably different. In this chapter we examine innovations within the golf industry. We focus on golf equipment (e.g. balls, clubs and accessories), the marketing of golf, golf coaching and golf course design. The chapter commences with a brief review of key innovation concepts and how innovations can be classified according to form, type and magnitude. This is followed by a discussion of how innovative golf equipment, course design, coaching and participation initiatives are helping to keep golf and the golf organizations relevant in an increasingly complex world. Simply preserving the status quo will take the game backwards. Yet, the balance between tradition and innovation is a precarious one, and golf’s future will be defined by their interaction.
