March rounds rose almost 4% compared to a year ago, thanks in part to favorable golf weather in parts of the northeast U.S. that had been itching to start the season.
Through the low-volume first quarter of 2025, U.S. rounds of golf were running about 2% behind the record-setting pace set in 2024.
A total of 25 states, from Massachusetts to Colorado, experienced average March temperatures that were among the top 10% warmest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It marks the second straight year U.S. golf facilities, generally speaking, have been buoyed by warmer temperatures in northern parts of the country, as March 2024 saw a 21% year-over-year jump in rounds.
Among the biggest movers this March were Pennsylvania (+34%), New Jersey (+17%) and New York (+11%), which have almost 1,800 golf courses between them. The most substantial YOY increase for March play was in Colorado (+57%), with the Mountain Region up almost 15% for the month overall.
In 2024, January, February and March were three of the four lowest-volume months for rounds-played on a national level.
NGF provides confidential, facility-level rounds data to Golf Datatech in helping compile the free, monthly play reports on behalf of the golf industry.
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