3-Minute Business Insights

Masters of Loyalty: Strategies Beyond Points and Perks
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
Masters of Loyalty: Strategies Beyond Points and Perks
February 2025 National Rounds Played
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
February 2025 National Rounds Played
Loyalty: The Next Innovation Frontier?
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
Loyalty: The Next Innovation Frontier?
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
Key year-end data on the world's best-supplied golf market
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
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
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
Seasonal sluggish start to 2025
January 2025 National Rounds Played
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
January 2025 National Rounds Played
Course Economics in the Experience Era
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
Course Economics in the Experience Era
Rounds Played Summary for 2024 Play Now Available
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
Rounds Played Summary for 2024 Play Now Available
Final-month dip can't derail another record-setting year for rounds
December 2024 National Rounds Played
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
December 2024 National Rounds Played
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
Warm, dry weather leads to biggest YOY October jump in play since 2020
October 2024 National Rounds Played
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
October 2024 National Rounds Played
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
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

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