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Summary of Beginner Golfers in the U.S. – 2026
National play sees second straight YOY monthly gain to start 2026
Does this State Have the Fiercest Public Tee Time Competition?
Member update: State-level research and insights detail supply and demand from Florida to California
Where is the competition for public access golf the fiercest and why? This member sidebar details not only the number of golfers per public course, but which states have the highest proportion of private golf, which have the most golf-related real estate, and much more.
Summary of Golf Participation in the U.S. – 2026
Total U.S. Golf Participation
Is the strong start to the year surprising?
January 2026 saw the biggest year-over-year jump in rounds of golf played since 2021.
Private club golfers account for less than 8% of golf's green-grass participation base, but this group plays and spends more on the game and is a popular target market audience for businesses inside and outside the golf industry.
Greg Nathan sits down with Golf Inc. for an in-depth industry Q&A, discussing health metrics, growth opportunities, the sustainability of golf's resurgence, emerging technologies and more.
Greg Nathan, CEO of the National Golf Foundation, joins the Barstool Sports guys to break down the unprecedented growth of golf -- from skyrocketing participation and new player demographics to the evolution of how the game is played and experienced.
