Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

Play gains in the Northeast and Southern U.S. provide late-season boost
November 2024 National Rounds Played
A small year-over-year bump in national rounds during November virtually assures that 2024 will finish with another record-setting play total.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Research
November 2024 National Rounds Played
How Much is New Golf Course Development Up?
Three U.S. states are leading the way in new golf course construction projects
How Much is New Golf Course Development Up?
As participation and play enjoy well-chronicled jumps during golf’s post-pandemic renaissance, what is the impact on golf facility development? Here is a snapshot of the new golf projects NGF's database team is tracking entering 2025.
Topics: Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
How Much is New Golf Course Development Up?
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
Golf’s Multi-Billion Dollar Investment
Golf’s Multi-Billion Dollar Investment
Amid the uptick in golf construction (and understandable excitement about a few brand new courses), perhaps the most noteworthy sign of the health and vitality in U.S. golf supply is the considerable investment being made in existing facilities.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Golf’s Multi-Billion Dollar Investment
Americans Still Playing More Golf
Americans Still Playing More Golf
When looking at rounds-played momentum on the heels of the peak season, the only real question has been whether the weather will hold up. Hurricane season was a not-so-gentle reminder of the impact weather has on an outdoor sport like golf.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Americans Still Playing More Golf
Rounds Played by Age Group
Rounds Played by Age Group
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
Rounds Played by Age Group
How much did Hurricane season impact 2024's momentum?
September 2024 National Rounds Played
After general stability over the peak season months, September saw more fluctuation when it comes to year-over-year play. How did this impact the pursuit of another potential record-setting year for rounds in 2024?
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
September 2024 National Rounds Played
Golf's Never-Ending Quest
Golf isn’t a game of perfect. There’s always room for improvement. Better performance invariably leads to more play… and, in turn, more spend and a deeper connection. So, how many golfers are taking instruction? And what's the overall economic impact of the tens of millions of lessons on the industry at large?
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Lessons
Golf's Never-Ending Quest
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
A deeper dive into trends, behaviors and participation across segments in the $1.5B golf instruction category
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
Amid golf's increases in popularity, participation and play in recent years, how has instruction grown and evolved? This member deliverable examines the jump in the number of golfers taking instruction (and the number of lessons), and delves into engagement by ability, avidity, age, and participation segments.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Instruction
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
Is Golf Real Estate Booming?
Is Golf Real Estate Booming?
Golf course living, in general, is enjoying a rebound like the game itself in the post-pandemic era. And golf-related real estate is a topic we’re asked about frequently and a subject our consulting team addresses regularly with developers and municipal planning boards or other authorities.
Topics: Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
Is Golf Real Estate Booming?
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.
The Surge's Impact on the Private Side of Golf
The Surge's Impact on the Private Side of Golf
Amid the recent increases in play and participation nationwide, what's happening on the private side of the game? This NGF member-exclusive examines supply and demand changes when it comes to private clubs, as well as the overindexing of private course development.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
The Surge's Impact on the Private Side of Golf

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