Golfers 65 and older represent 22% of on-course participants but account for 27% of spending. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day through 2030, NGF President & CEO Greg Nathan explains why the Boomer generation remains one of golf's most important economic forces, and why a post-Boomer cliff is far less likely than many assume.

Greg Nathan joined Golfdom's Seth Jones at Shinnecock Hills during the 126th U.S. Open, making the case that more people are playing golf in more ways than ever in American history, and that the industry's financial health is creating a virtuous cycle for the entire golf economy.

2026 is shaping up to be another record-setting year for golf travel. Among adult golfers, one age group is leading the way (by a slight margin), accounting for almost one-third of destination-motivated golf trips.

Golf is big business -- with a direct U.S. economic impact of almost $102 billion annually. NGF produced the most recent, and often-quoted U.S. Golf Economic Impact Study, and also conduct standard reports on golf's impact at the state level. These numbers are a part of many of our latest one-page state summaries that detail key supply and demand data at a more localized level -- now available to members.

Golf has a direct economic impact of almost $102 billion annually. NGF’s team of researchers and consultants produced the most recent Economic Impact Study and have also conducted a growing number of in-depth, state-level reports -- research that is critical for communicating golf's profound and wide-ranging impact.

You want economic proof that golf is not just a game, but a lifestyle? Here it is.