GOLF AFTER DARK? PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON NIGHT GOLF

For many years, sport has been enjoyed under lights as fans and players alike revel in the aesthetic of the stage that it creates and the atmosphere it fosters. Whether it’s a pitch, track, diamond or square, there is something about playing sport under the lights which creates exciting spectacle. But golf courses…not so much and golf has yet to have its light bulb moment embraced.

The game has tried, and night golf even dates back to 1954 where NBC- affiliate, WNBQ, televised a series of live night matches albeit in a limited format of seven par-3s which ranged from 20—104 yards. More recently, Monday Night Golf with Woods vs Duval, America’s top par-3 course’s, Cloud 9, and even the LET’s OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic this week, have all showcased the popularity of golf at night whether that be for fans or players, professional or amateur.

But is it more than just a novelty? What role does it play in the next steps for golf? Can it bring something to the game that we have been missing? The fact that night golf as a concept isn’t broadly accessible and is always marketed as a unique USP says a lot. I have always thought those in the golf world gloss over the potential that the nocturnal game could offer, especially when you actually break it down and put it under the spotlight.

We must accept the costs involved here and recognise some of its hurdles, primarily its environmental impacts, something here at Faldo Design we are uncompromising in our stance on, as we use sustainability as one of our core guiding principles. However, as technology advances, such capabilities and opportunities are increasingly becoming more available and, importantly, less damaging; for instance, the Faldo Course, Emirates Golf Club, converted their floodlights to LED to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint by up to 60 per cent.

Of course, commercially too there is an expense and up-front cost to implement such facilities, but ultimately an investment that should be looked on as an opportunity, rather than a threat, for more revenue prosperity.

Golf as a sport has been booming and encouraging difference and innovation for courses is something we have spoken about in a previous blog to sustain this central role it is playing. You only need to see the UK’s discourse with parliament and societal debate around recent course closure announcements to know that golf has firmly moved up the sporting agenda.

As we, in the northern hemisphere, move into shorter days and early nights, is there an opportunity to capitalise on this newly found popularity by prolonging the opportunity to play? We know that over the summer courses were busier than ever and membership blossomed again and again, so surely this the time to embrace the lights and encourage new ways to enjoy the game, day and night.

By providing a strong offering in the evening, it can create new commercial avenues for clubs as they look to capitalise on the growing players looking to sustain their golf fix through the winter. Longer term too, it’s about inviting more players into the game and used as a retention campaign to encourage new members to continue in the sport, thus creating sustainable growth.

However, night golf can offer clubs more and certainly shouldn’t be looked upon like a ‘plan B’ for winter. Going back to my earlier point, sports under the lights creates an exciting spectacle. This week the LET’s OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic has taken to the Faldo Course at the Emirates Golf Club, for the only professional day-night competition in golf, creating an impressive stage and dramatic theatre when matched with the neighbouring Dubai skyline, both in the day and the night.

Sir Nick spoke to the tournament’s organisers about the Faldo Course and the event earlier this week, saying: “This is a unique event, absolutely, and it will do a great deal to highlight where the Ladies game is at right now. You can’t ignore the strength and opportunity in the women’s game right now and this event is proof of that. The future for the Ladies’ game is bright.”

The Faldo Course embraced night golf within its design to create harmony and excitement with the urban surroundings especially as the floodlights aesthetically mimic the vertical skyline beyond, but also as an innovative solution to the Middle East’s summer climates. We looked at how we could continue to provide a golf offering during the months with the most extreme weather and ultimately offer better guest experience to help drive footfall, and revenue, over these quieter times. The floodlights also add interest into the playability of the course, adding new elements of interest to golfers and inviting strategic decision-making.

OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic, Executive Tournament Director, Simon Corkill said: “I think course knowledge is one thing for those who have played in Dubai before, but I also think playing under floodlights requires sensible course playing management.”

A winning approach Sir Nick also attributed to the course: “The players will need to think carefully around this golf course. There are some really tight landing areas and with the Wadi waste areas and 14 lakes, there is plenty to catch you out if you are wayward. From the tee the key is very much to find the right approach angles to the greens. Good iron play will be vital to get in the right spots on the big greens.”

It seems driving ranges and the recent rise of TopGolf have demonstrated that people are interested in playing under lights and happy to pay a premium to do so. Why should the golf stop on the range, and what’s to stop golf being played up until 10pm like golfers frequently do in the summer?

Night golf is more than creating an exciting stage for the Professional game, or a novelty to attract the winter hacker. There are great opportunities for golf and for the sport to grow. Courses need to embrace innovative thinking and be courageous in trying new formats and offerings. As designers this a trend we should be increasingly aware of and something that should be raised in conversations, in order to demonstrate forward thinking and modern approaches that satisfy the modern golfers and consumer habits.

What will the courses in the future look like…? Who knows! But it is very likely that many will offer golf experiences even after the sun has set.

Gareth Williams