For years, I’ve been critical of the golf industry’s lame attempts to grow the game. The Golf 20/20 meetings I attended about a decade ago did nothing but produce half-assed proposals to bring new people in, get the manufacturers and others working together, and even, one year, to try increasing revenue not by going after new players but by getting existing players to tee it up more often. Somewhere along the line, Golf 20/20 was hijacked by course owners who tossed in the towel on long-term growth for any smattering of short-term profit. No wonder it never went anywhere.

But giving credit where it may be due, I’ve just heard about the industry’s newest “get a non-golfer to learn the game” program, called “Get Golf Ready” (check out the website: http://www.playgolfamerica.com/ggr/). Falling under the “Play Golf America” banner hoisted by the PGA of America and other organizations, this one actually sounds like it makes sense. For about $100, novices get five days of exposure to the game: not driving-range lessons and swing mechanics, but actual on-course experience, as the website states, “everything you’ll need to know to step onto a golf course and get out to play with confidence.” It actually sounds like a good idea and one that starts with the right goal in mind—getting more players rather than more consumers. (Obviously, if we get them playing, they’ll start consuming. But too many of the past plans put the shopping cart before the course.)

Also, while it doesn’t seem to be online yet, there’s a very good article about GGR (I even like how the initials sound) in this week’s GolfWeek (October 3) by Gene Yasuda. I hope the article will be available on GW’s site soon, so watch for it. Yasuda explains how the program works, as well as some of the financial/economic sense behind it.

GGR’s website has a way to find programs in your area, so drag your golf-challenged buddies over. There’s also the opportunity to get your local course or organization involved in this idea, one that finally seems worth the effort. For the good of the game, I certainly hope so.