3-Minute Business Insights
The past four years have been historically strong for the U.S. golf industry, with a net gain of more than 2.3 million on-course golfers since 2020. But what if we told you almost 10 times as many people turned or returned to golf over that time?
Topics: Beginners, Churn, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
How to Plug Golf's "Leaky Bucket"
Key learnings on the golfer journey from Introduction to Commitment
When tracking the beginner to Committed golfer pathway, many of the things that predict successful “conversion” are relatively low incidence. Why is this?
Topics: Beginners, Conversion, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers
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
Women & Girls Fueling Golf's Growth
June is Women's Golf Month and an appropriate time to note that some of the most significant golfer gains in recent years have been among female participants. A near record number of women and girls played golf on a course in 2023, the highest participation levels in the U.S. since 2006.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
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.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Female, Female Participation, General Interest
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
New Heights for Golf Tourism?
The number of golfers traveling to play has been at or near record levels the past several years. And golfer surveys for 2024 show no sign of let-up when it comes to golf wanderlust.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Travel
The Revealing Complement Between Off and On-Course Golf
Almost 10% of golfers got started away from the golf course, and ties run deeper
In each of the past two years, the number of Americans participating in off-course forms of golf has surpassed the total number of traditional, on-course players. But the off-course game is complementing the on-course game rather than passing it by. Here's how.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golf Entertainment, Golf Simulators, Golfers
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
New NGF Survey: Core Golfers
Golf's best customers weigh in on 2024 plans to play, travel and spend
The approximately 13 million Core Golfers in the U.S. represent about half of on-course participants but account for over 90% of annual play and spend. These are the consumers really move the needle in the golf business when it comes to play, spend and overall engagement.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Engagement, Equipment, Golfers, Research
The Pulse of the Golf Consumer
As the unofficial kickoff for the golf season, Masters Tournament week is an ideal time to take (and report on) the pulse of the golf consumer. More than 123 million Americans consumed golf in some fashion in 2023, a reach that's up significantly in recent years.
Topics: Engagement, Fortnight, General Interest, Golfers, Research
Is Golf Really Experiencing a 'Munissance'?
Numbers to know - from openings and closings to conversions and resurrections
Municipal golf is in a unique place. On one hand, there are high-profile examples of popular muni facilities on the proverbial chopping block due to land values. On the other, there are well-backed efforts to preserve and restore some of the game's most historic properties. Municipal facilities are typically where golf is most affordable and accessible to people of all demographics, and there's greater attention on their impact today given the sport's renaissance.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
