3-Minute Business Insights
Coming into the year, only the most optimistic thought the industry could beat 2020 rounds. Here's how 2021 play shaped up.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Facilities, Participation
October rounds-played almost matched the late-season surges seen in 2020, as total play remains up year-over-year.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
Military Golf in the U.S.
Golf is an important recreation and rehabilitation outlet for those who serve and protect our country.
Collectively, the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces operate more than 150 U.S. golf courses. If the individual branches were grouped together to form a single management company, it would rank among the top multi-course operators in the country.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Management, Management Company
Rethinking the Retention Question
One of the overarching questions prompted by increased golf engagement over the past 18 months is whether the industry will be able to hold on those new golfers who have taken up the sport. But our research shows a notable difference between retention and conversion.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golfers
How 2021 Rounds Compare to 2020 Entering Q4
It's likely year-over-year play will continue to be down in the final months of the year, but it's important to keep these declines in proper perspective.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers
September 2021 rounds dipped after a 25% gain a year ago, as expected, but how much were they off the 2020 pace?
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation
Green Fee Changes and the Cost of Golf
NGF operator surveys and database dive into whether the pandemic has driven price increases
A recent survey of public golf course operators revealed fairly widespread pricing adjustments in 2021 that impacted average playing fees. Those increases varied from bumps in peak season and non-peak rates to limited discounting and a shifting of what courses consider their “peak season.”
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
Cost of Golf vs Inflation
Topics: Cost Of Golf, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
New Normal or Old Normal?
Can golf's current higher levels of demand be sustained? History suggests the answer is "Yes."
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Equipment, Facilities, Facility Supply
August Rounds and Pre-Covid Comparisons
NGF Member Bulletin
Given the surge in rounds played in the second half of last year, our expectation has been that play this year in Q3 and Q4 would fall somewhere between 2020 and prior year averages. This was the case in July and now again in August.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Research
Playing the Right Tees
Member-Only Core Golfer Survey Findings and Operator Feedback
Not only is a higher-than-expected percentage of golfers playing tees that are too long for them, many realize they should be playing up, but aren't. Here's what the latest findings say.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Research
August rounds were slightly down nationwide compared to last year’s summer surges, as expected. See how much of a decline there was from 2020.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Research
