Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
How much did Hurricane season impact 2024's momentum?
After general stability over the peak season months, September saw more fluctuation when it comes to year-over-year play. How did this impact the pursuit of another potential record-setting year for rounds in 2024?
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Examining Golf's Age Differences, On Course and Off
A members' look at differences in golfer age by gender, frequency of play and more
While perceived by some as a game comprised mostly of an older participant base, the numbers tell a different story -- at least from a golfer standpoint. And the game gets even younger when considering golf entertainment and other off-course forms of golf.
Topics: Age, Beginners, Golfer Age Groups, Golfers, Participation
August rounds follow regional precipitation changes as summer play finishes strong
August rounds were up in six of eight geographic regions, with all of those experiencing less precipitation than a year ago. Two regions on the East coast saw fewer rounds thanks to wetter weather than a year ago, but play at U.S. golf facilities overall remained steady through the end of the peak summer months.
Topics: General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Management Company, Participation
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
A deeper dive into trends, behaviors and participation across segments in the $1.5B golf instruction category
Amid golf's increases in popularity, participation and play in recent years, how has instruction grown and evolved? This member deliverable examines the jump in the number of golfers taking instruction (and the number of lessons), and delves into engagement by ability, avidity, age, and participation segments.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Instruction
Assessing Golf's Real Estate Market in the U.S.
Golf real estate trends, economic impact and the best-supplied U.S. markets
The direct economic impact of golf real estate is almost $15 billion in the U.S., which has nearly 3,200 golf communities in total. And the opportunity to live in active, outdoor communities (especially those with golf courses) has only gained favor in post-pandemic years, amplified by remote work options.
Topics: Construction, Development, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply
The Surge's Impact on the Private Side of Golf
Amid the recent increases in play and participation nationwide, what's happening on the private side of the game? This NGF member-exclusive examines supply and demand changes when it comes to private clubs, as well as the overindexing of private course development.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Slight peak season dip in play driven by hotter temperatures in parts of southern U.S.
Record or near-record high July temperatures in a number of golf-rich states, including Florida and California, helped keep national play levels below 2023 pace -- at least for the month.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
9-hole community course has sand greens and is free to play
Thanks to the support of locals, golf is back as a recreational amenity for this tiny town in rural North Dakota, with a free-to-play Par 3 course that has some of the most unusual greens in the golf world.
Topics: Development, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Peak season month sees moderate increase, with biggest gains in the Northeast U.S.
June play momentum remains strong on nationwide level as rounds continue to run ahead of 2023's pace.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Facilities
Contextualizing 2024's Course Closures
Taking a closer look at mid-year supply changes - stocks & flows
New course development is up fairly significantly, but midyear course closures continue to outpace openings. Here is some added context on the "why" behind inevitable course shutdowns in the U.S. market.
Topics: Closures, Course Closures, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
How to Plug Golf's "Leaky Bucket"
Key learnings on the golfer journey from Introduction to Commitment
When tracking the beginner to Committed golfer pathway, many of the things that predict successful “conversion” are relatively low incidence. Why is this?
Topics: Beginners, Conversion, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
National rounds continue to track ahead of 2023's record pace
For the second straight month, play was relatively flat in May on a national level. Rounds continue to run slightly ahead of last year's record pace heading into the peak months of the golf season.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Participation
