Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
NGF’s State-Level Golf Summaries – Now Available
Members looking for more granular supply and demand data at the state level -- from courses, golfers and rounds to price points, demographic breakouts and economic impact -- can find individual one-page summary overviews of the golf landscape from Alaska to Florida.
Topics: Demand, Facility Supply, Golf Participation, Green Fees, Pricing
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
Key year-end data on the world's best-supplied golf market
This comprehensive annual member report provides an in-depth overview of golf facility supply in the U.S. -- from historical trends in the number of golf facilities to detailed information on total supply by state and region, Top 10 lists by state supply, a facility health update, a breakdown of supply by facility type, golf courses in-planning and under construction, the latest on openings and closures, and much more.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, General Interest
Seasonal sluggish start to 2025
January is one of the lowest-volume months of the year when it comes to national play, with about two-thirds of the country still awaiting a true start to their golf season. Even colder temperatures to start 2025 than the prior year contributed to a sluggish start for rounds.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
NGF’s 2025 Participation in the U.S. Report – Now Available
Year-end 2024 data for on- and off-course participation in the world's biggest golf market.
This annual summary through year-end 2024 provides the latest data on golf participation — both traditional on-course golfers and those who engage with the game away from the course. The report includes detailed information on key segments such as beginners, women, people of color, juniors, and a closer look at the continually-expanding pool of non-golfers who say they’re very interested in playing the game.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, Females, General Interest
The annual National Rounds Report provides a summary overview of play across the U.S. in 2024 — from national and state levels. This member report takes a look at rounds trends, with comparisons to pre-pandemic engagement and details about play levels based on age groups, participation segments, and avidity.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses
Final-month dip can't derail another record-setting year for rounds
Colder December weather in the Northeast and Midwest than a year ago wasn’t enough to derail another record-setting year for play on a national level. It’s the third time in four years that rounds of golf have hit record levels.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
The NGF’s Top 100 Businesses in Golf is a platform intended to highlight the vitality, size and diversity of an industry that has more than a $100 billion annual impact within the U.S.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Equipment, General Interest
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF's Golf Industry Report, named in honor of NGF's founders Herb and Joe Graffis, compiles many of the game’s key data points on the business of golf and the health of the game in a single publication: golf participation, engagement, rounds-played, golf course supply and development, golf equipment sales, retail supply, the game’s reach, and more.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
Play gains in the Northeast and Southern U.S. provide late-season boost
A small year-over-year bump in national rounds during November virtually assures that 2024 will finish with another record-setting play total.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Research
How Much is New Golf Course Development Up?
Three U.S. states are leading the way in new golf course construction projects
As participation and play enjoy well-chronicled jumps during golf’s post-pandemic renaissance, what is the impact on golf facility development? Here is a snapshot of the new golf projects NGF's database team is tracking entering 2025.
Topics: Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
Warm, dry weather leads to biggest YOY October jump in play since 2020
Warmer, drier weather extended the golf season in the Midwest and Northeast, leading to one of the largest year-over-year jumps in play in 2024
Topics: Engagement, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Renovations, Restorations & Revitalizations Lead Investment at Existing Facilities
Over $3 billion invested at U.S. courses in discretionary improvements
For a growing number of U.S. golf facilities, investment into improving their existing product is being driven by three primary factors: they're better positioned financially to reinvest, upgrades were overdue, and they recognize the importance of keeping up with the competition.
Topics: Economy, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
