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Our unique Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from various sectors of the industry, a diversity that brings broad perspective to our work.
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As the industry’s leading independent and objective information resource, we provide our members with a wealth of golf research and insights on the game and business.
Reports & Publications
The NGF’s reports and publications are free to members, providing information and intel to make better-informed decisions. Browse our catalog, from annual reports on participation and golf course supply to more focused reports on key golfer segments and business categories.
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Golf Industry Facts
Golf by State
Explore golf’s geographic footprint through our interactive map to learn how many courses and golf-related businesses are in each state.
Looking for a specific course or business? Search our database.
The only publication for interested in the business of golf.
June 2020 National Rounds Played
Rounds-played increased 13.9% nationally in June, a continuation of the recent surge in golf participation amid the coronavirus pandemic. This rise translates to approximately 7 million or 8 million…
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Golfers and Physical Distancing
Safe physical distancing is back on the upswing for golfers in July. In late April, 70% of golfers said they wanted at least six feet of separation between them and…
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Studying Golf Consumers: July 2020
As the number of coronavirus cases have increased nationwide, core golfers have expressed a heightened anxiety regarding the pandemic. Compared to mid-June, those who say they are extremely concerned —…
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Can Summer Surge Offset 20 Million Lost Spring Rounds?
The 6% year-over-year uptick in May play — about 2.4 million more rounds than in May of 2019 — has improved the industry’s long-term prospects of recovering from the approximately…
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NGF New Members – June 2020
The NGF extends a warm welcome to the newest members of its community, a diverse group that spans all sectors of the golf industry. These businesses share our common vision…
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Golf Course Turns Park, (Ball)park Turns Course Amid Pandemic
Every Tuesday until mid-August, the golf course in Atlanta’s largest park becomes public greenspace, with golfers giving way to walkers, bicyclists, picnickers, dogs and backyard games. The two-month “test” period…
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June Shows Momentum in Key Golf Markets
Anecdotal reports and initial data regarding June play continue to be very positive. In talking with operators, engagement has been strong — full tee sheets, lapsed golfers making their return,…
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What Golf Operators Are Saying About June ‘Surge’
The early returns for golf’s post-crackdown are in, with rounds up more than 6% nationally in May — the equivalent of roughly 2.4 million more rounds than in May of…
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Breaking News on Golf and the Coronavirus
Given its outdoor and wide-open nature that’s conducive to social distancing practices, golf has shown it can offer valuable physical and mental respite during an unprecedented crisis to participants of…
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May 2020 National Rounds Played
Rounds-played were up 6.2% nationally in May, with more than 90% of golf courses having reopened by the second week of the month. The rebound in May comes after…
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The NGF’s proprietary data and research is regularly cited by national news organizations in stories that highlight the health and vitality of the golf industry. See the latest buzz:
"Following the recent report that the golf industry drove $84.1 billion in economic activity in the United States in 2016, an increase of 22.1 percent since 2011, the National Golf Foundation offered more modestly encouraging numbers about the health of the game with Tuesday’s release of its annual Golf Industry Report..."
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"The National Golf Foundation's latest list of the Top 100 businesses in golf... is a deep dive into a diverse group of leading companies, organizations and associations that span a multitude of verticals within the $84 billion golf industry."
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"...According to a report from the National Golf Foundation, roughly 51% of Topgolf guests in 2017 were people who had never played traditional golf.
Of these non-golfers, 75% said they were interested in playing traditional golf after visiting a Topgolf location..."
