A recent article in the New York Times carried the alarming headline that “More Americans Are Giving Up Golf,” mainly because people just don't have the time anymore to lollygag around the course when there is real WORK to be done–most often over the Web. But what about the insurance industry, which historically has conducted so much business with clubs in their hands? Is this trend not alarming?

(To read the full New York Times story, click here.)

The numbers are stark. According to the article:

–The total number of people who play golf has declined or remained flat each year since 2000, dropping to about 26 million from 30 million.

–Those who play 25 times a year or more fell to 4.6 million in 2005 from 6.9 million in 2000, a loss of about a third.

–Core players–those who golf eight or more times a year–have fallen to 15 million in 2006 from 17.7 million in 2000.

What's the problem? Time. (Who has a few hours to get away from it all anymore?) Money. (Companies are tightening up on expense accounts, and fewer individuals are able to afford the hefty club membership fees and equipment costs out of their own pockets.) Family. (It used to be that a guy would spend a weekend on the golf course, but today he's is more likely to be involved with his kids' activities–not a bad development, by the way.)

In any case, insurance has always included golf as a core element in its sales culture. At many industry conferences, golf tournaments remain a major feature.

But even with Crackberries and cell phones to keep people in touch no matter where they are, most people are having a harder and harder time justifying time away from their desks to play even nine holes. (I understand that many golf facilities ban the use of distracting mobile devices on the course, and more power to them–although cutting off the umbilical cord of business folk could be contributing to the decline in the number of players. Taking away a cell phone or PDA from a techie is like ripping a pacifier out of the mouth of a hungry baby!)

In any case, this development is really too bad. Frankly, I am no fan of the game. I've never even played–outside of the silly miniature version. (Tiger Woods has nothing to worry about when it comes to my putting, in any case).

Yet I lament the loss of leisure in our everyday lives–not just in off-hours, but on the job as well. Each advance in technology–note this blog–presents tremendous opportunities, but also piles more work on everyone, and ties each of us more and more tightly to our computers. Each new mobile device is another vital link to the world–and another step towards techno-tyranny! (That's one reason why I still do not have a PDA or I-Phone. Just because I can be in touch 24/7 doesn't mean I want to be.)

I also admit to being no fan of computer games, and the more sophisticated they get–what with avatars and second-lives and what have you, along with “social media” such as the Facebook/MySpace crowd–people in general, and kids in particular, are more and more connected, wired and isolated.

By contrast, a leisurely stroll on a beautiful green is a healthy way to mix business and pleasure, much to the benefit of all involved.

To lose that opportunity would be a shame. In the long run, passing on any real-life social activity to spend more time on your laptop will end up harming our mental and physical health, and might even limit productivity as more and more people burn out from techno-overload.

What do you folks think???