3-Minute Business Insights
Short Game
The most frequently asked question since the beginning of the year was whether the elevated level of golf activity would maintain in 2021. Well, we’ve had our first real test – comparing peak season months in 2020 and 2021.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
The 2021 first-half momentum for golf equipment sales carries over from second half of 2020. Is it better than 2019?
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Equipment, General Interest, Research
App use is becoming prevalent in all walks of life, including the golf world. There are now hundreds of golf-centric apps available and usage continues to climb.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Research
Check out these numbers
You often hear golf referred to as the game of a lifetime. But is it? Unlike virtually every other sport, golf participation actually holds steady across the ages.
Topics: Baby Boomers, General Interest, Golfers, Participation, Research
Just seven years ago, the proportion of all golf participants (on/off-course combined) who were women was 27%. Since then, the volume of female participants has grown by 43%, and there's even greater potential.
Topics: Engagement, Females, General Interest, Golf Participation, Golfers
Golf’s overall participation base in the U.S. – combining on- and off-course players – rose 8% in 2020 to 36.9 million. This leaves us with three closely-sized and mutually-exclusive groups of Americans.
And it probably won’t be long before traditional, “green grass” participants are out-numbered. Perhaps as soon as this year.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Off-course Participation, Participation
A return to the friendly skies means more golf trips and destinations back in consideration. Core golfers, on average, are now expecting 1.8 golf trips in 2021 -- an increase of more than 60% over 2020.
Topics: Consumer Spending, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golf Travel
Working remotely has provided greater schedule flexibility for many people over the past year. It's also had a significant impact on golf.
Topics: General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation
The latest monthly numbers show something the golf industry hasn't seen in a while -- a decline in play. How much of an impact did Mother Nature have in February?
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
There was a 31% decline in 18HEQ course closures in 2020, the largest drop on record. Could golf be approaching the end of its 15-year market correction?
Topics: Closures, Course Closures, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
The flood of new faces on U.S. golf courses in 2020 was noteworthy, even if some gains were offset. Who were these new people? And who wanted “in” last year?
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers