Coming into 2021, only the most optimistic in and around golf thought topping 2020’s pandemic-driven play totals was possible. And yet the 2021 rounds total bettered the industry’s previous high set two decades ago despite fewer golfers and fewer golf facilities.

So, who or what contributed to the increase?

The National Rounds Played Report provides an overview of the total number of rounds of golf played throughout the U.S. in 2021. Sourcing research from Golf Datatech, this summary offers comparisons to the unprecedented recreational play in 2020 as well as pre-pandemic years, the total volume of rounds played by various geographic regions, the distribution and impact of public versus private play, and takes a broad look at the weather-related impact.