Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Play gets off to a stronger start than in 2022
Several regions in the Frostbelt saw far less snow than January of 2022, yielding more playable days and a boost in play to kick off the year.
June, July Rebound Suggest Rounds Retention
Play continues to trend ahead of recent pre-pandemic years
After strong play totals in June and July, YTD play entering August was trailing the record pace of 2021 by only 4%. And there are clear signs of retaining recent gains.
Peak season play saw a slight increase for second straight month
July rounds continued June's momentum, with a slight increase even over the record-setting pace of 2021
Golf Course Closures Still Trending Downward
Member report: Closures on pace for lowest total in 17 years
The ongoing correction in the world's richest golf market began in 2006 after an unprecedented, and unsustainable, 20-year golf course building boom. The recent slowdown in closures may indicate the market is moving closer to equilibrium.
Cooler, wetter weather takes toll in several key regions
April play follows March's trajectory, with the third year-over-year decline through the first four months of 2022.
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
While new Par 3 courses grab attention, has overall supply been increasing?
Short courses have accounted for over 1/4 of new course development over the past decade – a number of highly-visible examples at resort properties – despite accounting for 10% of overall supply.
"We thought we could never keep up with the fall of 2020”
Nationwide, play in 2021 increased by almost 6% over 2020. The biggest gains were seen in the spring given that during 2020 over half of U.S. golf courses were shut down for more than a month. But for the year, it was this category that really spurred rounds increases.
Golf Facilities Report Now Available
Annual Members-Only Report Provides Supply Overview
This comprehensive annual summary provides an overview of golf facility supply in the U.S., the world’s best-supplied golf market.
Buttoning Up Play in 2021
Play in 2021 finished ahead of 2020 after yet another positive year-over-year gain for December. See how many more rounds that translated to.
Coming into the year, only the most optimistic thought the industry could beat 2020 rounds. Here's how 2021 play shaped up.
