3-Minute Business Insights
Amid increases in U.S. golfers and rounds-played over the past six years, the number of people participating in leagues – whether run internally by golf facilities or externally by national organizations – has jumped dramatically. This engagement is outpacing broader on-course participation changes in the post-pandemic era.
The Changing Face of Golf League Participation
Compared to pre-2020 (prior to the pandemic), golf league participants are notably younger and more diverse -- increasingly reflective of the broader population the industry has long sought to engage. This member sidebar delves into the demographic shifts of recreational golf league participation.
20+ Million Golfers On-Deck
Interest in golf among non-golfers is close to record levels, even as the number of on-course participants has jumped by 20% over the past six years (with an even bigger increase in engagement among off-course formats). While maintaining high levels of attraction is important, converting that interest into sustainable participation is critical for the game’s future.
Topics: Associations, Course Operations, Facility Management, Green-Grass Facility, Off-course Facility
The PopStroke concept is rooted in golf, with a growing portfolio of tech-enabled putting venues that blend golf with F&B and social experiences, but this modern golf entertainment version of mini golf isn't counted among NGF's off-course forms of participation. While PopStroke's owner acknowledges the platform exists adjacent to golf, he also sees its influence within the game's broader ecosystem.
There was a time not so long ago when the question was “Why doesn’t golf grow?” Today, the industry is experiencing a resurgence that would have been difficult to predict.
