Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

Full Shots

Rounds momentum remains strong nationally
August 2023 National Rounds Played
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds Played
August 2023 National Rounds Played
From participation to watching as fans, what are Core golfers saying about the team component?
Assessing Golfer Attitudes Toward Team Golf
The majority of golfers say they’ve played in at least one team event within the past 12 months -- not surprisingly most likely a scramble. And an even higher proportion say they're interested in playing in a team event within the next year.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Research, Team Golf
Assessing Golfer Attitudes Toward Team Golf
The Growth of Destination Golf
A closer look at one of golf's biggest development categories
The Growth of Destination Golf
Whether its golf destinations, destination golf resorts or destination golf in general, this niche continues to grow in popularity – on both the public and private side.
Topics: Destination Golf, Development, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply
The Growth of Destination Golf
How Close is 2023 Play to Record-Setting 2021?
How Close is 2023 Play to Record-Setting 2021?
On a national level, rounds saw a major move after the highest-volume month of the year (July)
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Participation
How Close is 2023 Play to Record-Setting 2021?
Link in story to free three-page report
July 2023 National Rounds Played
Nationwide play was up for a fourth straight in-season month -- see just how much.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Facilities, Research
July 2023 National Rounds Played
What Is Social Media's Impact on Golf Perception?
NGF member insider: click to access report on Perceptions of Golf
What Is Social Media's Impact on Golf Perception?
It’s estimated that approximately 50 million Americans are engaged with golf today on social media, at varying levels. About 80% of them are non-golfers who have very different perceptions of golf than those who don't engage with the game at all.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Image Of The Game, Research
What Is Social Media's Impact on Golf Perception?
Golf's Off-Course to On-Course Pathway
Assessing off-course impact on green grass engagement: Member Exclusive
Golf's Off-Course to On-Course Pathway
The growth and evolution of off-course forms of golf have led to questions (and opinions) about its impact on the traditional game. Here's a closer look at that divide and the latest research into how green-grass participation, trials and interest are being affected.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Grow The Game
Golf's Off-Course to On-Course Pathway
At Midyear, How Close Are 2023 Rounds to Record Pace?
At Midyear, How Close Are 2023 Rounds to Record Pace?
Beyond year-over-year comparisons, it's perhaps even more meaningful how close we are to the record-setting pace of 2021, a year in which there were more rounds of golf played at U.S. courses than at any time in history.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds Played
At Midyear, How Close Are 2023 Rounds to Record Pace?
Link in story to free three-page report
June 2023 National Rounds Played
June rounds rise YOY for fourth straight year. See how much play was up on a national level.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Clubs, Participation
June 2023 National Rounds Played
Midyear Momentum: Course Openings & Closures
Continued signs of equilibrium in world's best-supplied golf market
Midyear Momentum: Course Openings & Closures
Over the past four years, the number of annual golf course closures has dropped 62%. So what does the market look like at the midway point of 2023? And how do course openings compare to recent years?
Topics: Closures, Construction, Development, Economy, Facilities
Midyear Momentum: Course Openings & Closures
Golf Destinations Seeing Sustained Demand
Mid-year pulse of golf's $40 billion-a-year travel & tourism impact
Golf Destinations Seeing Sustained Demand
The current interest in golf getaways mirrors the broader general appetite for travel. Here's a look what some NGF member golf resort operators are experiencing at the midpoint of 2023.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations
Golf Destinations Seeing Sustained Demand
Get link for free, full three-page report
May 2023 National Rounds Played
Play was up notably year-over-year on a national level in May, driven predominantly by increases in several golf-rich regions.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Research
May 2023 National Rounds Played

Learn from NGF Members

Golf as Life
Let me introduce myself—I’m Mike Klemme. You may not recognize my name, but if you’ve ever flipped through a golf magazine, visited a course, or…
Learn More
Ship Sticks
Whether you’re the head planner of your upcoming buddies golf trip or simply along for the ride, we’ve gathered a few easy ways to keep…
Learn More
Amanda Fontaine
Raking bunkers on a golf course was literally child’s play for Amanda Fontaine. Today, it’s part of her job as IGM’s Golf Course Superintendent at…
Learn More