Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
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.
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.
"Sea Level" Golf Participation and Beginners
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.
NGF members can click here to access the full report
Amid the Covid-driven changes throughout the golf industry, one of the participation segments seeing the most significant growth is one that makes up just over half the U.S. population.
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.
The Differentiation in Golfer Age Groups
How the unique characteristics of age cohorts groups pertain to consumer engagement
The meaningful differences between age cohorts can be of particular relevance and importance for those in the golf business, helping to understand the wants, needs and motivations of customers.
"I find when all I do is return a phone call, they're shocked"
A record 6.2 million beginners have taken up golf in the U.S. over the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Overall participation has grown over that time, but not nearly to that extent.
Over the past two years, as the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the U.S., the number of beginning golfers has been higher than it was back when Tiger Woods was at his most dominant.
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.
What it is, Why it's important for golf, and How it works
Welcome2Golf is NGF’s effort to introduce adult non-golfers to the game of golf and improve the beginner experience to convert more newcomers into committed golfers. After all, almost 75% of the record 3 million+ beginners each of the past two years are 18 or older.
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?
