3-Minute Business Insights

Course Economics in the Experience Era
When a tee time goes unfilled, a golf course doesn’t just lose the greens fee – it loses all the revenue accompaniments that would have come with it. It’s why we dove deeper into the concept of RevPOTT, or the estimated total revenue per occupied tee time at public golf facilities.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations
Course Economics in the Experience Era
2024 Was a Continuation of an Exciting Era
Golf continues to evolve. Those who’ve been around the game for a while know it changes rather glacially. 2024 continued a progressive and exciting era in our sport. The game’s traditions are still being honored. It’s ageless spirit and sense of community preserved. But the ways in which consumers are engaging with golf and consuming the game are growing and changing.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
2024 Was a Continuation of an Exciting Era
NGF's 2025 Top 100 Businesses in Golf Revealed
The NGF’s Top 100 Businesses in Golf is a platform intended to highlight the vitality, size and diversity of an industry that has more than a $100 billion annual impact within the U.S.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Equipment, General Interest
NGF's 2025 Top 100 Businesses in Golf Revealed
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF's Golf Industry Report, named in honor of NGF's founders Herb and Joe Graffis, compiles many of the game’s key data points on the business of golf and the health of the game in a single publication: golf participation, engagement, rounds-played, golf course supply and development, golf equipment sales, retail supply, the game’s reach, and more.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
NGF's annual state-of-industry report is out and available for members, providing a holistic look at the U.S. golf industry for 2024. Momentum across the recreational side of the U.S. golf industry remained broadly positive this past year, and future indicators point to sustainability when it comes to participation and play.
Topics: Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
Is Holiday Golf Purchasing Changing?
Is Holiday Golf Purchasing Changing?
Approximately half of Core Golfers say golf gifting is a part of their holiday routine. And whether through a specialty golf retailer or a channel like Amazon, a growing percentage are buying golf-related items online.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Equipment, Retail
Is Holiday Golf Purchasing Changing?
Renovations, Restorations & Revitalizations Lead Investment at Existing Facilities
Over $3 billion invested at U.S. courses in discretionary improvements
Renovations, Restorations & Revitalizations Lead Investment at Existing Facilities
For a growing number of U.S. golf facilities, investment into improving their existing product is being driven by three primary factors: they're better positioned financially to reinvest, upgrades were overdue, and they recognize the importance of keeping up with the competition.
Topics: Economy, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Renovations, Restorations & Revitalizations Lead Investment at Existing Facilities
Assessing Golf's Real Estate Market in the U.S.
Golf real estate trends, economic impact and the best-supplied U.S. markets
Assessing Golf's Real Estate Market in the U.S.
The direct economic impact of golf real estate is almost $15 billion in the U.S., which has nearly 3,200 golf communities in total. And the opportunity to live in active, outdoor communities (especially those with golf courses) has only gained favor in post-pandemic years, amplified by remote work options.
Topics: Construction, Development, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply
Assessing Golf's Real Estate Market in the U.S.
Member report details recent gains in golf retail sector
New Off-Course Retail Report Now Available
NGF's annual update on off-course golf retail store supply in the U.S. through 2023 tracks the changes in the number of doors and square footage of regional/independent and national retailers.
Topics: Economy, General Interest, Reports, Research, Retail
New Off-Course Retail Report Now Available
Mid-Year Update: Retail & Equipment
The midway point of the year -- on the heels of a dramatic U.S. Open and Father's Day holiday, and during the peak of the golf season -- is a good time to detail how golf equipment sales, retail and the broader appetite for golf goods is trending across the industry.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Equipment, General Interest
Mid-Year Update: Retail & Equipment
Golf Travel: A Growing Appetite and Impact
Golf Travel: A Growing Appetite and Impact
Golf travel is tied to approximately 40% of the game’s overall economic impact and is currently bigger business than ever. So, which states have the most golf resorts? Which metro areas have the most public golf per capita, and which states have the most rounds played by non-residents?
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Travel
Golf Travel: A Growing Appetite and Impact
Are ‘Dualies’ Golf’s Best Customer?
Are ‘Dualies’ Golf’s Best Customer?
It's long been assumed that the traditional, green-grass golfer is golf's best customer. But research shows it's actually the committed participants who engage with the game both on course and off who really move the needle for play and spend.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
Are ‘Dualies’ Golf’s Best Customer?

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