Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

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Less favorable weather in several notable regions hampers early-season play
A Slower Start to the Season
April rounds were down on a national level, but in several well-supplied regions it’s a change that operators attribute largely to unfavorable golf weather.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers, Rounds Played
A Slower Start to the Season
Cooler, wetter weather takes toll in several key regions
April 2022 National Rounds Played
April play follows March's trajectory, with the third year-over-year decline through the first four months of 2022.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
April 2022 National Rounds Played
U.S. Golf Facility Investments Total Nearly $1.8B Annually
Spend is almost split between public and private, but share is not
U.S. Golf Facility Investments Total Nearly $1.8B Annually
Beyond the exciting (but limited) number of new golf courses we read about, the real industry investment is in upgrades, improvements, renovations and restorations at existing facilities. And it's significant.
Topics: Construction, Economy, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
U.S. Golf Facility Investments Total Nearly $1.8B Annually
Heightened demand, eagerness to hit the road again, and Canadian golfers return
Golf Destinations Anticipate Strong Travel Season
After some understandable limitations on golf travel the past two years, particularly in 2020 after the initial coronavirus outbreak, indications are that golf travel in the U.S. is poised for a strong season. 
Topics: Destinations, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
Golf Destinations Anticipate Strong Travel Season
NGF member benefit: one-page report on traveling golfers and golf resorts
Overview: Golf's $20B U.S. Travel Market
Want to know how many traveling golfers there are in the U.S. or which state has the most golf resorts? Look no further.
Topics: Destinations, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Resorts, Resort Golf
Overview: Golf's $20B U.S. Travel Market
March play can't match surges of early spring 2021
March 2022 National Rounds Played
On a national level, March play was down fairly significantly compared to a year ago. Here's a quick look at where and why.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
March 2022 National Rounds Played
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
While new Par 3 courses grab attention, has overall supply been increasing?
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
Short courses have accounted for over 1/4 of new course development over the past decade – a number of highly-visible examples at resort properties – despite accounting for 10% of overall supply.
Topics: Engagement, Executive, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
"I find when all I do is return a phone call, they're shocked"
Record Beginners: Opportunities and Obstacles
A record 6.2 million beginners have taken up golf in the U.S. over the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Overall participation has grown over that time, but not nearly to that extent.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Participation
Record Beginners: Opportunities and Obstacles
NJ, NY and PA see increased play after Nor'Easter effect in Feb 2021
February 2022 National Rounds Played
Buoyed by strong play totals in the South and parts of the Northeast, February 2022 rounds rose on a national level compared to the year prior.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation
February 2022 National Rounds Played
"this legislative initiative is based, at least in part, on inaccurate information"
NGF Responds to California's 'Public Golf Endangerment Act'
Municipal golf is under fire in California, misguidedly so. See the attached PDF for NGF's full response.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers, Municipal Golf
NGF Responds to California's 'Public Golf Endangerment Act'
A new year brings new rounds-played data
January 2022 National Rounds Played Report
On a national level, January '22 rounds didn't match the relatively strong starts seen the past two years, at least for regions in season.
Topics: Engagement, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation, Rounds Played
January 2022 National Rounds Played Report
"We thought we could never keep up with the fall of 2020”
This Category Drove 2021's Gains in Rounds Played
Nationwide, play in 2021 increased by almost 6% over 2020. The biggest gains were seen in the spring given that during 2020 over half of U.S. golf courses were shut down for more than a month. But for the year, it was this category that really spurred rounds increases.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation
This Category Drove 2021's Gains in Rounds Played

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