Quote:Because a theory appears to be in play that golf desperately needs to something big, something dramatic, something drastic to keep the game's popularity from sinking like a dimpled Titleist into a pond.

"People under 35," Pennington writes, "have especially spurned the game, saying it takes too long to play, is too difficult to learn and has too many tiresome rules."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/24/opinion/do...?hpt=hp_t4

Golf's popularity is not dying

I am a 19 year old college student who has been playing golf since I was 12. I play around 30 rounds a summer, and shoot around 100 every time out on the course. My swing looks great but I can't stay away from a few 8's per round. After all of the times I've shot 120 and I say I am done playing for the season... I keep coming back for that chance to break 90. It's the love of the outdoors and an occasional par, birdie, or eagle (depending on who you are) that will keep you coming back. Viewership of major tournaments may be dwindling without Tiger, but the sport aint goin anywhere.

It's a totally unique sport where you hit the ball and then chase it or, in many cases, hunt for it. The few times I have played involved a beer cart.