Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
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
Member report details recent gains in golf retail sector
NGF's annual update on off-course golf retail store supply in the U.S. through 2023 tracks the changes in the number of doors and square footage of regional/independent and national retailers.
Topics: Economy, General Interest, Reports, Research, Retail
Female Participation & Engagement Report Now Available
See the highlights from NGF's new member report
The recent positive momentum in the world of female golf participation hasn't just been pandemic-fueled. The overall participant pool -- when factoring both on- and off-course forms of the game -- has risen 85% over the past decade, with nearly 15 million women and girls now playing golf in one of its increasingly various forms.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
Regional mix as YOY play remains relatively flat in April
After a significant increase in March rounds, April play was relatively flat on a national level compared to 2023 as several golf-rich regions of the country saw slight dips that are likely attributable to weather.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Golf Travel: A Growing Appetite and Impact
Golf travel is tied to approximately 40% of the game’s overall economic impact and is currently bigger business than ever. So, which states have the most golf resorts? Which metro areas have the most public golf per capita, and which states have the most rounds played by non-residents?
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Travel
The Revealing Complement Between Off and On-Course Golf
Almost 10% of golfers got started away from the golf course, and ties run deeper
In each of the past two years, the number of Americans participating in off-course forms of golf has surpassed the total number of traditional, on-course players. But the off-course game is complementing the on-course game rather than passing it by. Here's how.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golf Entertainment, Golf Simulators, Golfers
Strong spring start in northern climes lead to spikes in play
March rounds see biggest national jump since the 2021 rebound that followed 2020's pandemic lockdowns
Topics: Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
New NGF Survey: Core Golfers
Golf's best customers weigh in on 2024 plans to play, travel and spend
The approximately 13 million Core Golfers in the U.S. represent about half of on-course participants but account for over 90% of annual play and spend. These are the consumers really move the needle in the golf business when it comes to play, spend and overall engagement.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, Equipment, Golfers, Research
Is Golf Really Experiencing a 'Munissance'?
Numbers to know - from openings and closings to conversions and resurrections
Municipal golf is in a unique place. On one hand, there are high-profile examples of popular muni facilities on the proverbial chopping block due to land values. On the other, there are well-backed efforts to preserve and restore some of the game's most historic properties. Municipal facilities are typically where golf is most affordable and accessible to people of all demographics, and there's greater attention on their impact today given the sport's renaissance.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Rounds rebound after slow start to the year in January
On a national level, February was the third-warmest on record. More than a dozen states had one of their three-warmest Februarys ever, particularly in parts of the Midwest that typically see golf courses still closed over the first few months of the year.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses
New Supply & Demand Reports for All 50 U.S. States
This state is #1 for public golf... and it's not Florida or California
Want to know more about the number of golfers in a particular state, or the proportion of public to private golf? Looking for information about municipal golf facilities, Par 3 courses, residential golf properties or resorts? NGF’s 1-page state profiles provide key supply and demand data at your fingertips.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
