Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Strong spring start again in northern climes
After seasonality limited play in some parts of the country in January and February, March rounds rebounded thanks to favorable golf weather in much of the northeast, helping spur another spring surge.
Topics: Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Research, Rounds
If golf is supposed to be a relationship business, why are golfers greeted in pro shops and retail stores with generic transactional questions typically answerable with a single word?
Topics: Economy, Facility Operations, Golf Economy, Golf Facilities, Golf Retail
The Masters Tournament has cultivated one of the most passionate followings in any industry. It's a phenomenon worthy of attention, especially as the golf industry more broadly examines strategies that can build enduring loyalty -- without points or perks.
Topics: Engagement, Facility Management, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
A year after the third warmest February on record allowed many golf courses in northern states to get an early jump on the 2024 golf season, the more typical wintry weather conditions in those same states prevented a repeat.
Topics: Courses, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds
As the golf industry enjoys unprecedented success, NGF research suggests most Core golfers feel like "just another customer," with transaction-based relationships emphasized over loyalty. As customer expectations evolve, relationship-building will likely emerge as the most undervalued innovation frontier in business and, perhaps, a new battleground in golf.
Topics: Commitment, Consumer Spending, Consumers, Core Golfers, Engagement
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
Key year-end data on the world's best-supplied golf market
This comprehensive annual member report provides an in-depth overview of golf facility supply in the U.S. -- from historical trends in the number of golf facilities to detailed information on total supply by state and region, Top 10 lists by state supply, a facility health update, a breakdown of supply by facility type, golf courses in-planning and under construction, the latest on openings and closures, and much more.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, General Interest
Seasonal sluggish start to 2025
January is one of the lowest-volume months of the year when it comes to national play, with about two-thirds of the country still awaiting a true start to their golf season. Even colder temperatures to start 2025 than the prior year contributed to a sluggish start for rounds.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
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
The annual National Rounds Report provides a summary overview of play across the U.S. in 2024 — from national and state levels. This member report takes a look at rounds trends, with comparisons to pre-pandemic engagement and details about play levels based on age groups, participation segments, and avidity.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses
Final-month dip can't derail another record-setting year for rounds
Colder December weather in the Northeast and Midwest than a year ago wasn’t enough to derail another record-setting year for play on a national level. It’s the third time in four years that rounds of golf have hit record levels.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Play gains in the Northeast and Southern U.S. provide late-season boost
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
Warm, dry weather leads to biggest YOY October jump in play since 2020
Warmer, drier weather extended the golf season in the Midwest and Northeast, leading to one of the largest year-over-year jumps in play in 2024
Topics: Engagement, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
