Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

Full Shots

Rounds Roundup: Weather-Related Risers and Fallers
While rounds on a national level are relatively level year-over-year, there's been some significant swings based on geography... and weather.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation
Rounds Roundup: Weather-Related Risers and Fallers
Click to access PDF of three-page report
March 2023 National Rounds Played
Play on a national level was relatively stable for March 2023, a normalization for what's been one of the most inconsistent months for U.S. rounds in recent years.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
March 2023 National Rounds Played
Tracking "Resurrections" - Closed Courses Get New Life
Tracking
New golf course openings in the U.S. remain limited, averaging about 13 over the past decade. But the number of “new-to-you” properties in the U.S. market is considerably higher when considering renovations, reconstructions and another category: “resurrections,” or closed courses given new life.
Topics: Construction, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Tracking
February 2023 National Rounds Played
Despite significant weather-related swings in a number of golf-rich regions, February play was down only minimally compared to a year ago.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Research
February 2023 National Rounds Played
State-by-State Golf Reports Available
One-page state level overviews on supply and demand, rounds played and more
State-by-State Golf Reports Available
NGF Member Exclusive: state-level snapshots of golfers, golf courses, rounds played, price point, facility types and the estimated economic impact of the golf business.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, States
State-by-State Golf Reports Available
Golf Supply Reports Now Available
5 Numbers to Know About U.S. Golf Course Supply
Golf Supply Reports Now Available
The latest industry data points on the U.S. golf market -- from course openings and closures to total supply, facility health, municipal golf, short courses and more.
Topics: 9-Hole Courses, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Management
Golf Supply Reports Now Available
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
8 Numbers to Know: Participation Segments
Golfer overviews, from beginners to Baby Boomers
8 Numbers to Know: Participation Segments
In addition to the annual Golf Participation in the U.S. Report, members can access one-page summary reports focused on various participation segments. Here's a sampling: 8 notable golf participation datapoints across various groups.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Junior Golf, Minority
8 Numbers to Know: Participation Segments
Colder temps across U.S. lead to decrease in play to close out year
December 2022 National Rounds Played
One year after an unseasonably warm December yielded strong end-of-year play totals, national rounds to close out the final month of 2022 saw a fairly significant year-over-year drop. Find out how much:
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
December 2022 National Rounds Played
Some changes come to the biennial Top 100 businesses in golf
The 2023 NGF GOLF 100 Revealed
An effort to highlight the vitality, size and diversity of an almost $100 billion-a-year industry, the NGF GOLF 100’s mission is to recognize the most successful, prominent, influential and innovative companies in the commercial golf business.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Golf 100, Investment, Marketing
The 2023 NGF GOLF 100 Revealed
Golf’s Year in Search
What does search engine data for golf from 2022 tell us about 2023 and beyond?
Topics: Golf Courses, Golfers, Image Of The Game, Participation, Research
Golf’s Year in Search
November 2022 National Rounds Played
Thanks to less-than-favorable golf weather in many parts of the country, November rounds were down notably compared to a year ago.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Research
November 2022 National Rounds Played

Learn from NGF Members

Golf as Life
Let me introduce myself—I’m Mike Klemme. You may not recognize my name, but if you’ve ever flipped through a golf magazine, visited a course, or…
Learn More
Ship Sticks
Whether you’re the head planner of your upcoming buddies golf trip or simply along for the ride, we’ve gathered a few easy ways to keep…
Learn More
Amanda Fontaine
Raking bunkers on a golf course was literally child’s play for Amanda Fontaine. Today, it’s part of her job as IGM’s Golf Course Superintendent at…
Learn More