There have been only two sustained periods of golf course supply contraction in the United States. They’ve ended in two very different ways.

Which states have the most golf supply? Which have the most public courses? Which have the most golfers per public course and, generally, see stronger demand and tee time competition?

The annual tally of golf course closures in the U.S. dropped again last year. Which raises the question: Has supply and demand finally returned to a reasonably balanced state?

Rounds of golf played nationally in 2022 didn’t measure up to the record-setting totals of 2021. Weather played a role in the downturn, especially in the shoulder months of this past year.

Questions lingered throughout the year when it came to rounds: Would demand dip? Would golf’s Covid dividends begin to wane? As 2022 winds down, here’s how national play is stacking up.

With increases in golf participation, play and popularity in recent years, one of the questions we’ve gotten recently is whether there’s been a rise in new U.S. course construction since the onset of the pandemic.