Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
August rounds were slightly down nationwide compared to last year’s summer surges, as expected. See how much of a decline there was from 2020.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Research
July Rounds Down Slightly, as Expected
NGF Member Bulletin
While July rounds were down year-over-year, play is still trending closer to 2020's 'surge' levels than prior, pre-pandemic years.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
Rounds played continued to see strong momentum during July even though year-over-year play was actually down compared to last year’s pandemic-fueled summer surge.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Participation, Rounds Played
There have been far more golf course closures than openings in the U.S. over the past 15 years. But did you realize that almost 740 U.S. golf courses have had openings during that period? That total, during what’s looked at as a “down period” for the industry, is more than the entire golf course supply in nations such as Scotland, Ireland, Spain and South Africa.
Topics: Construction, Development, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply
A Deeper Look Inside the Supply of Par 3 Layouts in the U.S.
Del Ratcliffe fully appreciates the benefits of a Par 3 golf course. He grew up playing one his father built in 1960 on a farm about 10 to 15 miles outside of downtown Charlotte. Today, Ratcliffe owns or operates five facilities in the Charlotte area – four of which feature a Par 3 layout of some fashion. Nationwide, all but one state in the U.S. has a par 3 golf course.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
Not All Golf Course Closures Are Failures
Some owners plan exit strategies around high demand for real estate
The closing of a popular or once-popular golf course isn’t typically celebrated, but the reality is that not every golf course is destined to live forever. In some cases, a golf course served its purpose and its remnants will reward its users equally well, or even better. For some course owners, selling is a long-planned exit strategy.
Topics: Closures, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Early summer play matches initial surge seen in 2020
In the first real test of the sustainability of the 2020 summer surge, June 2021 rounds were essentially equal to June of last year.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation
Troon President & CEO Tim Schantz discusses the impact of the coronavirus on the golf industry, investment and opportunity in golf, and the continued growth at Troon.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Interview, Interviews
More than three-quarters of Core golfers have at least one golf-specific app on their phone, a figure that's risen steadily over the past decade. It speaks to the evolution of golf as well as the effort to enhance the golf experience for an ever-connected segment of consumers.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Research, Technology
May Rounds Climb as Summer Months Loom as Measuring Stick
May rounds were up year-over-year, as expected, given the operational restrictions that were still in place for the month in 2020. Now, with summer upon us, is when it really starts getting interesting – in terms of comps – for the golf industry.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Municipal Golf
National rounds played for May 2021 were up over a year ago, when golf operations were still limited due to the coronavirus in some parts of the country.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation
Pinehurst President Tom Pashley on golf travel's rebound, the opportunity that exists for golf, and positive change – both throughout the game and at Pinehurst.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
