Australian Productivity commission awards club grant to investigate impact of lost golf balls on Australian economy
In an unusual development the club has been invited to investigate and quantify the impact of lost golf balls on the Australian economy. Every year these losses cost the Australian economy millions of dollars every year. "It's just not just the cost of the balls which are all imported" local golfer Dave Woodrow noted, "its the mental health impacts and the time lost in looking for the ball, and other secondary effects." the past senior citizen of the year noted as he drove off the tee for the third time.
Already the club has identified a significant financial impacts and inefficient spending on different colours of golf balls, folks blaming the clubs, (and buying new ones that ares't any better), mental health impacts of folks giving up exercise in frustration at losing so many golf balls, etc. etc. It's a huge issue.
The club has also discovered a paradox among older golfers who anecdotally seem to be the main losers of balls. Local health professionals have noted that older people with reducing eyesight, and mental fitness are especially disadvantaged as even IF they do see the ball in flight, they can't find the ball because of memory loss.
The club has initiated a survey to investigates how much unproductive time is spent looking for balls. This has a major impact on the economy and already the club has noted that "This seems to have a strong relationship to cultural identity". Apparently golfers from a certain northern european country (closely related to Mel Gibson) would spend several hours looking for a lost ball until daylight fades, whereas others lose interest in looking (or forgot what they were doing) after a few minutes.
"The mental health impacts are significant" according to the club health professional, and very high stress levels have been recorded among golfers who have lost balls at critical times in their rounds.
Other root causes of lost balls are difficult to quantify. Local Rugby League celebrity and anonymous honorary Rotarian noted is known for his large collection of drivers. "I blame the golf clubs he responded in the club survey" However so far there has been no noticeable drop off in his lost balls.
The club has confirmed that "All of these issues will be investigated and a full report will be sent to the Australian Productivity commission."
A spokesman for the R&A golf club noted that this was the first time that a comprehensive investigation into this significant productivity issue was being carried out and was long overdue.
How can you help?
The club has put a lost golf ball survey on its web page and is offering a gift worth $25 to every golfer who completes the survey. You can reach the survey by clicking HERE