Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Contextualizing 2024's Course Closures
Taking a closer look at mid-year supply changes - stocks & flows
New course development is up fairly significantly, but midyear course closures continue to outpace openings. Here is some added context on the "why" behind inevitable course shutdowns in the U.S. market.
Topics: Closures, Course Closures, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
How to Plug Golf's "Leaky Bucket"
Key learnings on the golfer journey from Introduction to Commitment
When tracking the beginner to Committed golfer pathway, many of the things that predict successful “conversion” are relatively low incidence. Why is this?
Topics: Beginners, Conversion, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
Female Participation & Engagement Report Now Available
See the highlights from NGF's new member report
The recent positive momentum in the world of female golf participation hasn't just been pandemic-fueled. The overall participant pool -- when factoring both on- and off-course forms of the game -- has risen 85% over the past decade, with nearly 15 million women and girls now playing golf in one of its increasingly various forms.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
Golf Travel: A Growing Appetite and Impact
Golf travel is tied to approximately 40% of the game’s overall economic impact and is currently bigger business than ever. So, which states have the most golf resorts? Which metro areas have the most public golf per capita, and which states have the most rounds played by non-residents?
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Travel
The Revealing Complement Between Off and On-Course Golf
Almost 10% of golfers got started away from the golf course, and ties run deeper
In each of the past two years, the number of Americans participating in off-course forms of golf has surpassed the total number of traditional, on-course players. But the off-course game is complementing the on-course game rather than passing it by. Here's how.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golf Entertainment, Golf Simulators, Golfers
New NGF Survey: Core Golfers
Golf's best customers weigh in on 2024 plans to play, travel and spend
The approximately 13 million Core Golfers in the U.S. represent about half of on-course participants but account for over 90% of annual play and spend. These are the consumers really move the needle in the golf business when it comes to play, spend and overall engagement.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, Equipment, Golfers, Research
New Supply & Demand Reports for All 50 U.S. States
This state is #1 for public golf... and it's not Florida or California
Want to know more about the number of golfers in a particular state, or the proportion of public to private golf? Looking for information about municipal golf facilities, Par 3 courses, residential golf properties or resorts? NGF’s 1-page state profiles provide key supply and demand data at your fingertips.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Par 3's Have Record Representation Among 2023 Openings
Assessing golf's short course movement
Par 3 courses are increasingly common among new course openings, especially relative to their standing in overall supply.
Topics: Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Par 3, Par 3 Courses, Research
Examining 'Pandemic Era' On-Course Participation Changes
2024 Golf Participation in the U.S. report now available for NGF members
The 2024 Participation Report is out, featuring the latest year-end 2023 data on various segments and age groups, along with information on off-course only participants, interest in the game among non-golfers, and much more.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Off-course Participation, Participation
Examining Rounds Sustainability
Interest, intent, pandemic play trends, and price increases
Here’s what the latest Core golfer surveys reveal about “itch” and intent to play, trends in post-pandemic rounds growth, and potential obstacles to future play – including full tee sheets and rising green fees.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers
Golf Gifting: What’s in Store?
The latest member research from NGF's consumer pulse study
Approximately half of Core golfers buy golf-related gifts during the holiday season. Has there been any change this year in those planned behaviors and which categories are the most popular for gift-giving?
Topics: Apparel, Consumer Spending, Economy, Equipment, General Interest
Examining the Simulator/Screen Golf Market
Member-only research on demographics, frequency of use, and locations
Whether commercial or residential, home simulator usage and supply is on the upswing. And while participation in off-course golf activities is found to generally increase golfers’ engagement with the traditional game, simulator golf might be the best evidence of this relationship.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Off-course Participation, Participation, Research
