3-Minute Business Insights

Short Game

Participation and Engagement Rise Again
Heading into year three of Covid-19, the virus seemingly continues to benefit golf even while hampering parts of the economy and frustrating millions ready to be ‘done’ with it. Here's what golf participation looked like for 2021 from a high level.
Topics: Beginners, Economy, Engagement, Golf Courses, Golfers
Participation and Engagement Rise Again
Looking Back at 2021... Looking Forward to 2022
After a 2021 that was special for golf, 2022 brings more opportunity. Among the exciting news from NGF: a newly redesigned website filled with new content.
Topics: Engagement, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Grow The Game
Looking Back at 2021... Looking Forward to 2022
We Did It... We Will Beat Last Year's Rounds
Coming into the year, only the most optimistic thought the industry could beat 2020 rounds. Here's how 2021 play shaped up.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Facilities, Participation
We Did It... We Will Beat Last Year's Rounds
Santa Is On the First Tee
Consumer surveys indicate that gift-giving for all things golf – including equipment, apparel and accessories -- is projected to remain strong this holiday season, even as manufacturers and retailers wrestle with production, inventory and shipping challenges.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Research
Santa Is On the First Tee
Where Are All the Introductory Golf Programs for Adults?
Golf has had a record number of beginners each of the past two years, with the vast majority of newcomers being adults. And yet, when one thinks of beginner golf programs, the tendency is to focus on junior initiatives. So where are all the adult-specific introductory efforts?
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Instruction
Where Are All the Introductory Golf Programs for Adults?
Rethinking the Retention Question
One of the overarching questions prompted by increased golf engagement over the past 18 months is whether the industry will be able to hold on those new golfers who have taken up the sport. But our research shows a notable difference between retention and conversion.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golfers
Rethinking the Retention Question
Golf Course Operators Regain Some Pricing Power
Amid nationwide surges in play, over a third of public golf courses have bumped up their peak season fees after years of lagging behind the inflation rate. Yet golf continues to shine as an affordable option compared to other activities that take a similar amount of time.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Golfers, Image Of The Game, Marketing
Golf Course Operators Regain Some Pricing Power
New Normal or Old Normal?
Can golf's current higher levels of demand be sustained? History suggests the answer is "Yes."
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Equipment, Facilities, Facility Supply
New Normal or Old Normal?
Tee It Forward - Ten Years Later
NGF's recent survey of Core golfers indicated 73% recalled Tee It Forward, but a much smaller percentage had actually moved up in recent years. Here's what they found, and what's keeping others from moving forward a tee.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
Tee It Forward - Ten Years Later
Golf Around the World
Based on research from the NGF’s definitive international facility database, the R&A's biennial Golf Around the World Report is back and counts golf courses in 206 of the world’s 251 countries -- with more than 38,000 courses globally.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Golf Around the World
Tiger's Long Tale
It's the 25-year anniversary of Tiger's "Hello, World" introductory press conference. His impact on the game and business of golf was almost instantaneously felt and it continues to reverberate today.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Image Of The Game
Tiger's Long Tale
Course Supply Leveling Out
NGF's database team has seen a significant drop in a particular supply-based area during the first half of 2021. Could this be the year golf course supply in the U.S. levels out?
Topics: Closures, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Course Supply Leveling Out

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