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Golf Consumer Spending Remains Steady
[SEPTEMBER 14, 2002] - Despite downturns in the economy and a bearish market,
golf spending remained steady over the past two years. According to the latest
research report by the NGF (National Golf Foundation), golf consumer spending
totaled more than $23 billion, up 2.9 percent over the past two years, and
another $26 billion in golf travel, up 0.4 percent over the past three years, in
2001.
The Spending Report: Sizing the Golf Consumer Marketplace provides
three reports in one - Golf Consumer Spending in the U.S., The U.S. Golf Travel
Market, and Non-Golf Spending Behavior by Golfers. Retail spending is broken out
by golfing and demographic characteristics, as well as how spending on equipment
and golfing fees increased or decreased between 1999 and 2001. The U.S. golf
travel market is described in terms of number and types of travelers, spending
and destinations. Of particular interest are the spending habits of "best
customers" who make up one-third of all golfers, but account for two-thirds of
golf travel spending. Golf consumers are further profiled by revealing their
spending habits on non-golf items such as cars, beverages and consumer
electronics. A special appendix shows Internet use and behaviors by golf
consumers.
"The participation report we released earlier in the year held some good news
for the industry: golfers and rounds were holding steady in the middle of a bad
economic cycle," commented Jim Kass, Director of Research at the NGF. "The
Spending Report adds some sparkle to that initial report and tells us exactly
where the golf industry is growing."
As a result of the economic conditions of 2001, the NGF is keeping a close
watch on golf consumer spending in 2002. A new report examining golf consumer
spending for 2002 will be available April 1, 2003.
For more information on The Spending Report: Sizing the Golf Consumer
Marketplace and other NGF flagship research reports, contact the NGF at
1.561.744.6006.
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