The city is looking at new moneymaking options for its public golf courses as it struggles with years of decline in the sport.

The city owns King's Forest and the Beddoe and Martin courses at Chedoke. But each year, they become less financially viable as current golfers age, golf less often and young people pass over the sport.

So the city is looking at potential partnerships, as well as a marketing plan and fee structure, to get more people golfing and to make much-needed capital repairs.

The only people making money are people who built courses years ago and have paid off all the debt, or people who have bought a course in a consecutive bankruptcy. - John Frittenburg, leisure consultant

Right now, the whole industry is suffering, said John Frittenburg, a consultant hired to look at the issue. And it has been for a few years.

"We scratch our heads every time we see a new golf course," Frittenburg told the public works committee on Monday.

"There's an adage in the commercial golf business. The only people making money are people who built courses years ago and have paid off all the debt, or people who have bought a course in a consecutive bankruptcy."

Frittenburg and city councillors — some of them golfers — speculated on the reason for the downturn. Some would-be golfers may have the perception that golf is expensive, and that there's a cap on membership, said Coun. Sam Merulla.

There's also the perception that golf takes a long time, Frittenburg said. So those with one hour to spare would rather play a quicker sport, such as tennis.

Most of all, young people just aren't taking up the game. Forty per cent of existing golfers learned to play as children, Frittenburg said. But there are 21 per cent fewer young players than there were 10 years ago.

The city isn't immune to the trends. Eight years ago, it had a goal of boosting memberships and green fees. Instead, the numbers are moving in the other direction. Between 2010 and 2014, in fact, the city's season pass sales fell by 57 per cent. Since 2007, green fee sales have slipped by 24 per cent.

The city isn't subsidizing its courses, said Rom D'Angelo, facilities director. But capital upgrades to the three courses have fallen behind. That includes clubhouse renovations.

"Our clubhouses tend to be a little tired," said Coun. Tom Jackson of Ward 6.

Frittenburg recommended changing the structure a little. For example, more 12-hole offerings to attract women golfers, who seem drawn to that. Female golfers aren't an untapped market, he said, but there's room for growth there.

The city will develop a marketing strategy looking at how it can draw more people to the municipal courses. In the meantime, it will extend its 10-year golf course business plan another five years.

Here are some highlights from Frittenburg's report:

20 per cent of Canadian play golf.

The number of golfers has remained flat for years.

38 per cent are playing fewer rounds of golf per year.

40 per cent of adult golfers learned as children.

There are 21 per cent fewer young players than 10 years ago.

Most clubs don't have waiting lists, and there's an "over supply of golf courses."

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca | @SamCraggsCBC