|
NUMBER OF GOLFERS EDGES LOWER IN 2008
The slight downward trend in the number of golfers in the U.S. continued in 2008, falling 3%, from 29.5 million in 2007 to 28.6 million in 2008, according to NGF's annual golf participation study. For research purposes, a golfer is defined as a person age 6 or above who plays at least one round of golf in a given year. The study of 42,000 Americans was fielded by Synovate, a global market research firm in Chicago, Ill.
Decreases were seen in both Core and Occasional golfer categories. Core golfers (age 6+, eight or more rounds a year) dropped 4.5%, from 17.3 million to 16.6 million. And Occasional golfers (age 6+, one to seven rounds a year) dropped 1.5%, from 12.2 million to 12.0 million.
Nevertheless, 4.0 million golfers either approached the game for the first time (1.7 million) or returned after a hiatus (2.3 million.) These were offset by 4.9 million "lost golfers" who played in 2007 but not in 2008.
"There is a natural turnover of participants not only in golf but in virtually every sport," says Joe Beditz, NGF president and CEO. "We are definitely attracting new and former golfers from a large pool of latent demand. The challenge for the industry is to slow the loss of existing golfers while increasing the retention rate of those who come in each year."
The finding of negative growth in golfers is corroborated by a drop in rounds played volume of 1.8% in 2008 vs. 2007. No doubt the economic recession was a factor in the decline of both measures.
On a positive note, NGF research indicates that Core golfers are extremely passionate about the game. When asked how they would rate their passion for playing golf on a scale of 0-10, only 9% of golfers indicated weak commitment (0-4 rating).
About the NGF
The mission of the National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is to help golf businesses succeed by providing marketing, research, customer targeting and other consulting services. Based in Jupiter, Fla., the NGF serves many constituencies in the golf industry, including equipment manufacturers; builders and developers; facilities and practice ranges; course architects; retailers; turf maintenance suppliers; golf associations and the media. For more information, visit www.NGF.org.
|
