Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

Rounds momentum remains strong nationally
August 2023 National Rounds Played
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds Played
August 2023 National Rounds Played
Play gets off to a stronger start than in 2022
January 2023 National Rounds Played
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.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
January 2023 National Rounds Played
June, July Rebound Suggest Rounds Retention
Play continues to trend ahead of recent pre-pandemic years
June, July Rebound Suggest Rounds Retention
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.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers
June, July Rebound Suggest Rounds Retention
Peak season play saw a slight increase for second straight month
July 2022 National Rounds Played
July rounds continued June's momentum, with a slight increase even over the record-setting pace of 2021
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds Played
July 2022 National Rounds Played
Golf Course Closures Still Trending Downward
Member report: Closures on pace for lowest total in 17 years
Golf Course Closures Still Trending Downward
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.
Topics: Closures, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
Golf Course Closures Still Trending Downward
Cooler, wetter weather takes toll in several key regions
April 2022 National Rounds Played
April play follows March's trajectory, with the third year-over-year decline through the first four months of 2022.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
April 2022 National Rounds Played
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
While new Par 3 courses grab attention, has overall supply been increasing?
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
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.
Topics: Engagement, Executive, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
"We thought we could never keep up with the fall of 2020”
This Category Drove 2021's Gains in Rounds Played
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.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation
This Category Drove 2021's Gains in Rounds Played
Golf Facilities Report Now Available
Annual Members-Only Report Provides Supply Overview
Golf Facilities Report Now Available
This comprehensive annual summary provides an overview of golf facility supply in the U.S., the world’s best-supplied golf market.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Reports, Research
Golf Facilities Report Now Available
Buttoning Up Play in 2021
December 2021 National Rounds Played Report
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.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers
December 2021 National Rounds Played Report
November 2021 National Rounds Played Report
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation
November 2021 National Rounds Played Report
We Did It... We Will Beat Last Year's Rounds
Coming into the year, only the most optimistic thought the industry could beat 2020 rounds. Here's how 2021 play shaped up.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Facilities, Participation
We Did It... We Will Beat Last Year's Rounds

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