From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Editor-in-Chief
Looking Back
One of the many benefits of publishing a local golf magazine for 23 years is the accumulated history of our local golf community — the ups and downs , in-industry personnel changes , courses that have opened or closed , and the general state of the local golf business . Looking back at all the changes over the past 23 years is fascinating .
In early 2001 , when we launched this magazine , KC area golf was booming . New courses were frequently opening , and with that came somewhat fierce competition for rounds played . All the newly built golf courses needed golfers , as did the older courses that began losing rounds to the newer courses . Discounting golf rounds became common to entice golfers . In fact , this scenario played out nationally . The golf industry nationwide marketed heavily to attract people to play golf .
My December 2020 editorial referred to a 2019 national magazine article that stated , “ Discounting has significantly lowered the price of the average round . Meanwhile , the cost of running a course has increased just as dramatically … most clubs are hanging on for grim death .” The article went on to mention that new course openings ceased , more courses closed , and golfer participation was down 10-20 % in less than a decade .
Then COVID-19 came along , and despite the doom and gloom predicted for the world , including the “ grim death ” of the golf industry , the golf industry nationally has flourished like never before — or at least in our 23-year history .
Readily available tee times — unless booked a minimum of three days in advance — have vanished , as have the discounting of rates ! Participation has sky-rocketed , and play has increased by 30 % ( conservatively ), with more new golfers entering the game than in the past decade . The local golf industry is as strong as ever and the busiest I ’ ve ever seen . Who knew a pandemic would introduce people to the great outdoors , increase golf rounds , and welcome so many new golfers to the sport ?
Notwithstanding all that great news , the most significant change over the last 23 years is me and my golf game . I look 23 years older — in the mirror , not so much mentally , and maybe I don ’ t hit the tee shot as far , but it ’ s now landing in the fairway . Back 23 years ago , I used to hit the big “ banana ball ” ( sliced it ), and while it went 400 yards ( not really ), who knew where it would land — lost a lot of golf balls back then . Then , one day ( 10 years ago ), a local golf pro gave me a tip to end the banana ball forever . Best tip I ’ ve ever gotten . I worked on it for years and still do today . Now , I can find my tee shots in the fairway and frequently near the pin on approaches , which makes golf fun .
It ’ s a very simple tip : while at the range , put your feet together and hit golf balls . You cannot remain standing if you swing too hard or out of rhythm — you ’ ll lose your balance and fall over . Don ’ t worry about hitting the ball far at first when working on this tip ; just work on making good contact while remaining in balance . Once you get the feeling and swing rhythm , you ’ ll be amazed at how far you can hit the ball with your feet together . As you start to get the feeling of swinging the club and remaining in balance , gradually start moving your feet apart , eventually to a normal stance — while maintaining the same swing and rhythm as you did with your feet together . Once you get this , it ’ s ball go far , and bye-bye banana ( slice in the woods ) ball .
Victoria , our writers , and I thank all our dedicated readers and advertising partners and wish everyone a Happy Holiday season . Remember — hit ’ em straight and often .
6 Nov . / Dec . 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
Kansas City ’ s Longest Running Monthly Golf Magazine
Our Mission — To Promote Golf 365 Days a Year .
Tee Times Golf Guide™ Inc . Mailing Address : P . O . Box 2196 , Independence , MO 64055 Corporate Office ( new 01 / 23 ): 816.886-9017
Publisher , Bill Cromwell , Editor-in-Chief Advertisement Placement and News / Article Requests Editor @ TeeTimesMagazine . com
Managing Editor Victoria Cromwell , VP @ TeeTimesGG . com
Creative Designers , Graphic Arts , Photography Bill and Victoria Cromwell
● Roving Course Analyst : Mike Hull and Ron Underwood
● Field Ambassador : Deanie Olinger
Our Team of the Best Contributing Golf Writers in KC Alan Hoskins — Lead Feature Writer Gianna Augustine — Golf Tips & Instructional Articles John Baccala — Professional Golf Course Profiler Ann Butenas — Midwest Section PGA News Eddie Hall — Equipment Reviews & Clubfitting Tips Courtney ( Mahon ) Gildea , LPGA — Golf Tips & Instruction Baile Stephenson — Central Links Golf & Junior Golf News Guest PGA — Golf Tips & Instruction
Association News Features : CLG ( Central Links Golf Association ) – Monthly News Midwest Section PGA News – Adam Greeno , Executive Director GCSAA ( Golf Course Superintendents Association of America ) – News
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