Green Fee Changes and the Cost of Golf

When rounds increased almost 14% nationwide in 2020 amid the pandemic, the increased green fee revenue helped some operators offset losses in other areas such as food & beverage, events and tournaments, and merchandise, not to mention the spring stretch when over half of U.S. golf facilities were closed due to the coronavirus. It also prompted questions about whether, in 2021, there was any correlative increase in playing fees -- whether in response to the heightened demand, a rise in operational costs, lost revenue, minimum wage increases, or other reasons. In a summer survey of public golf course operators, 67% reported some kind ...