Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
Final-month dip can't derail another record-setting year for rounds
Colder December weather in the Northeast and Midwest than a year ago wasn’t enough to derail another record-setting year for play on a national level. It’s the third time in four years that rounds of golf have hit record levels.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
The NGF’s Top 100 Businesses in Golf is a platform intended to highlight the vitality, size and diversity of an industry that has more than a $100 billion annual impact within the U.S.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Equipment, General Interest
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF's Golf Industry Report, named in honor of NGF's founders Herb and Joe Graffis, compiles many of the game’s key data points on the business of golf and the health of the game in a single publication: golf participation, engagement, rounds-played, golf course supply and development, golf equipment sales, retail supply, the game’s reach, and more.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
Play gains in the Northeast and Southern U.S. provide late-season boost
A small year-over-year bump in national rounds during November virtually assures that 2024 will finish with another record-setting play total.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Research
How Much is New Golf Course Development Up?
Three U.S. states are leading the way in new golf course construction projects
As participation and play enjoy well-chronicled jumps during golf’s post-pandemic renaissance, what is the impact on golf facility development? Here is a snapshot of the new golf projects NGF's database team is tracking entering 2025.
Topics: Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
NGF President and CEO Greg Nathan, who in 2024 succeeded Joe Beditz in overseeing the organization on a day-to-day basis, is among 25 industry leaders recognized by Golf Inc. among the Most Powerful People in Golf. Nathan is one of two first-timers to join the list.
Topics: Golf Economy, Golf Industry, NGF
Warm, dry weather leads to biggest YOY October jump in play since 2020
Warmer, drier weather extended the golf season in the Midwest and Northeast, leading to one of the largest year-over-year jumps in play in 2024
Topics: Engagement, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Renovations, Restorations & Revitalizations Lead Investment at Existing Facilities
Over $3 billion invested at U.S. courses in discretionary improvements
For a growing number of U.S. golf facilities, investment into improving their existing product is being driven by three primary factors: they're better positioned financially to reinvest, upgrades were overdue, and they recognize the importance of keeping up with the competition.
Topics: Economy, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
How much did Hurricane season impact 2024's momentum?
After general stability over the peak season months, September saw more fluctuation when it comes to year-over-year play. How did this impact the pursuit of another potential record-setting year for rounds in 2024?
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Examining Golf's Age Differences, On Course and Off
A members' look at differences in golfer age by gender, frequency of play and more
While perceived by some as a game comprised mostly of an older participant base, the numbers tell a different story -- at least from a golfer standpoint. And the game gets even younger when considering golf entertainment and other off-course forms of golf.
Topics: Age, Beginners, Golfer Age Groups, Golfers, Participation
August rounds follow regional precipitation changes as summer play finishes strong
August rounds were up in six of eight geographic regions, with all of those experiencing less precipitation than a year ago. Two regions on the East coast saw fewer rounds thanks to wetter weather than a year ago, but play at U.S. golf facilities overall remained steady through the end of the peak summer months.
Topics: General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Management Company, Participation
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
A deeper dive into trends, behaviors and participation across segments in the $1.5B golf instruction category
Amid golf's increases in popularity, participation and play in recent years, how has instruction grown and evolved? This member deliverable examines the jump in the number of golfers taking instruction (and the number of lessons), and delves into engagement by ability, avidity, age, and participation segments.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Instruction
