Exclusive: Golf Digest Task Force Set To Rank Golf Task Forces

Golf Digest Magazine--full disclosure: a partner of this blog--will be adding to its internationally-renowned ranking franchises by soon announcing a task force to rank golf's fastest growing marketplace: task forces charging themselves with growing the game.

"It's a hot growth industry and we think our readers will be very interested to learn which task force is doing the best job giving the impression they are doing a good job," confirmed Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde via email.

The task force will be made up of individuals not already on committees sponsored by golf's most influential organizations: the PGA of America, PGA Tour, Augusta National Golf Club, USGA, World Golf Foundation, R&A, International Golf Federation, The First Tee and The Villages retirement community.

"Admittedly, having a task force made up of people not already on a task force has made it more difficult to find quality panelists since so many candidates already sit on committees. But we feel we've put together a quality group," Tarde says.

The unnamed panelists will use specific criteria obtained exclusively by GeoffShackelford.com. The criteria will closely resemble that of the guidance given to Golf Digest course ranking panelists.

In no particular order:

• Activation - How does the task force announce itself to the golfing world via use of celebrity figures, appropriate logo-infused backdrops, press releases and social media?  

• Aesthetics - How does the logo and other branding speak to the aspirational qualities of the task force?

• Messaging Variety - How varied are the task force's ad campaigns in length, configuration and inclusion of a kaleidoscope of golfers?

• Resistance To Substance - How difficult, while still being fair, is the task force to gain access to for someone with EVP experience in golf?

• Shot Values - How well does the task force pose risks and rewards and equally serve to further the reputation of those involved over growing the game?

The first ranking of America's Top 100 Grow The Game Committees will appear in the April, 2015 Golf Digest, with tablet users having the opportunity to download the issue on April 1st, 2015.