Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
NGF’s 2025 Participation in the U.S. Report – Now Available
Year-end 2024 data for on- and off-course participation in the world's biggest golf market.
This annual summary through year-end 2024 provides the latest data on golf participation — both traditional on-course golfers and those who engage with the game away from the course. The report includes detailed information on key segments such as beginners, women, people of color, juniors, and a closer look at the continually-expanding pool of non-golfers who say they’re very interested in playing the game.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, Females, General Interest
Golf Participation: Growing & Diversifying
The face of golf may have changed more in the past five years than the previous 50. Golf’s latest participation numbers are out and they reveal unprecedented diversity in the game -- both on and off the course.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
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
Golf Instruction by Participation Segments
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golf Lessons, Golfers, Instruction
Golf Instruction Participation by Age
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golf Lessons, Golfers, Instruction
Understanding Golf's Biggest Failure (or Opportunity)
The past four years have been historically strong for the U.S. golf industry, with a net gain of more than 2.3 million on-course golfers since 2020. But what if we told you almost 10 times as many people turned or returned to golf over that time?
Topics: Beginners, Churn, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
How to Plug Golf's "Leaky Bucket"
Key learnings on the golfer journey from Introduction to Commitment
When tracking the beginner to Committed golfer pathway, many of the things that predict successful “conversion” are relatively low incidence. Why is this?
Topics: Beginners, Conversion, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
Women & Girls Fueling Golf's Growth
June is Women's Golf Month and an appropriate time to note that some of the most significant golfer gains in recent years have been among female participants. A near record number of women and girls played golf on a course in 2023, the highest participation levels in the U.S. since 2006.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
Female Participation & Engagement Report Now Available
See the highlights from NGF's new member report
The recent positive momentum in the world of female golf participation hasn't just been pandemic-fueled. The overall participant pool -- when factoring both on- and off-course forms of the game -- has risen 85% over the past decade, with nearly 15 million women and girls now playing golf in one of its increasingly various forms.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
Golf Participation Update -- Bigger, Younger and Cooler
The number of on-course golfers has now increased for six straight years, but also notable is that the demographic makeup of the base is changing — albeit gradually in a sport with over 26 million Americans who play recreationally.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Grow The Game
"Sea Level" Golf Participation and Beginners
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Participation
Golf's Off-Course to On-Course Pathway
Assessing off-course impact on green grass engagement: Member Exclusive
The growth and evolution of off-course forms of golf have led to questions (and opinions) about its impact on the traditional game. Here's a closer look at that divide and the latest research into how green-grass participation, trials and interest are being affected.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Grow The Game
