About NGF

The President's Page

Personal Perspective from NGF President & CEO Greg Nathan

Greg Nathan became president and CEO of National Golf Foundation in January 2024, succeeding industry legend Joe Beditz.

Nathan joined the NGF in 2007 and works closely with the CEOs and leadership teams from companies in every sector, and is one of the foremost speakers on the state of the golf industry. Golf businesses value Nathan’s insightful perspective, broad and deep category knowledge, and a network of contacts that could challenge Kevin Bacon for degrees of separation. Nathan has been recognized the past two years by Golf Inc. Magazine as one of the 25 Most Powerful People in Golf.

Greg's Full Bio

In The News

‘Okay Boomer’: Golf Is Growing at Both Ends of the Age Spectrum

The youth movement gets the headlines, but Baby Boomers are still punching above their weight, and the data tells the story.

Golfers 65 and older represent 22% of on-course participants but account for 27% of spending. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day through 2030, NGF President & CEO Greg Nathan explains why the Boomer generation remains one of golf's most important economic forces, and why a post-Boomer cliff is far less likely than many assume.

Greg Nathan at Shinnecock: More People Playing Golf in More Ways Than Ever in American History

NGF's President & CEO takes stock of record participation, healthy course economics, and a new era for the Foundation, from the first fairway of the 126th U.S. Open.

Greg Nathan joined Golfdom's Seth Jones at Shinnecock Hills during the 126th U.S. Open, making the case that more people are playing golf in more ways than ever in American history, and that the industry's financial health is creating a virtuous cycle for the entire golf economy.

Greg Nathan Joins NGCOA’s Golf Business Live to Talk Supply, Demand, and Golf’s Vulnerable Underbelly

Record rounds. Healthy courses. So why does Greg still lose sleep over Player B?

If I had one thing to say to the audience of owners and operators, it's now, when the business is so terrific... it would really be the right time to invest in how do I deal with the intimidation of golf for novices, for kids, for women, and for people of color...

NGF CEO Greg Nathan Shares The (Tremendous) State of the Golf Economy with Golf Channel’s Golf Today

Recreational golf is in a drop-the-mic moment.

"More people playing more golf in more ways than ever in recorded history."

Grateful for Golf

"Being in your dream job ... now that's gangster!"

Greg Nathan reflects with the United States Golf Association’s Golf Journal on his path from Madison Avenue to becoming CEO of the National Golf Foundation, golf's leading data insights and strategic consulting organization.

Fairways of Life: Greg Details Golf’s Participation Gains

Greg joins Matt Adams and Fairways of Life from the PGA Show floor to detail golf participation numbers in the United States. Spoiler: golf popularity is still on the rise after 2025.

Greg Joins The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts

In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts -- filmed on the floor of the PGA Show -- Greg breaks down the latest State of the Industry data, including record rounds, almost 38 million Americans playing off-course golf, 20% green-grass participation growth since 2019, and how simulators and social golf are reshaping access to the game.

2025 Year-End Letter to the Golf Industry

At a time when more people are playing more golf in more ways than at any time in history, NGF President and CEO Greg Nathan shares a few observations about the game's momentum and growth, and expresses immense gratitude for the tens of thousands of friends and members throughout the industry.

Talking State-of-Industry With NGCOA’s Golf Business Live

Greg Nathan joins Golf Business Live host Michael Williams for a conversation reflecting on the state of the golf business and economy in 2025, and a look ahead to the game's future.

NGF’s Nathan Again Named Among Golf Inc.’s Most Powerful

NGF's Greg Nathan has again been recognized by Golf Inc. as one of the “Most Powerful People in Golf.” The list highlights leaders who continue to shape the game’s future through vision, influence and innovation.

Greg's Bio

Greg Nathan

President and Chief Executive Officer

Greg Nathan has been the President and CEO of National Golf Foundation since January 2024, when he succeeded industry legend and longtime mentor Joe Beditz.

Nathan joined the NGF in 2007 and works closely with the CEOs and leadership teams from companies in every sector and is one of the foremost speakers on the state of the golf industry. Golf businesses value Nathan’s insightful perspective, broad and deep category knowledge, and a network of contacts that could challenge Kevin Bacon for degrees of separation.

Nathan has been recognized by Golf Inc. multiple times as one of the 25 Most Powerful People in Golf.

Prior to NGF, Greg was a marketing and brand executive with GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com and a Madison Avenue ad agency suit. Greg knew in his early 20s that he wanted to work in golf… and his passion led him to his “needle in a haystack” position at the NGF. He’s made it his life’s work to figure out how many golf businesses he can help.

Greg loves playing the game, and is a full-blown architecture nerd and GOLF Magazine course panelist who has played more than 80 of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. Greg grew up in White Plains, NY and graduated Lehigh University with a B.S. in Economics. His foursome includes wife Alyson, son Jack and daughter Bailey and he lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Fun Facts

Favorite Sports Movie?

Easy answer... Caddyshack

Best Shot?

Glad you asked!

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/12/14/golf-industry-veteran-hole-in-one-par-4-bill-murray/

Dream Foursome

Mark Messier, Arnold Palmer, Dennis Bergkamp and Jerry Garcia... since I'm playing... it's a fivesome!

Favorite Course(s)

Final round of my life: Cypress Point
Play only one course for the rest of my life: National Golf Links of America
The ultimate design: Pine Valley

Bucket List Course You Can't Believe You Haven't Played Yet?

Augusta National