Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Full Shots
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
Click to access PDF of three-page report
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
Tracking "Resurrections" - Closed Courses Get New Life

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

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
State-by-State Golf Reports Available
One-page state level overviews on supply and demand, rounds played and more

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

Golf Supply Reports Now Available
5 Numbers to Know About U.S. Golf Course Supply

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

Play gets off to a stronger start than in 2022
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
8 Numbers to Know: Participation Segments
Golfer overviews, from beginners to Baby Boomers

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

Colder temps across U.S. lead to decrease in play to close out year
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
Some changes come to the biennial Top 100 businesses in golf
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
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
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