Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
March play can't match surges of early spring 2021
On a national level, March play was down fairly significantly compared to a year ago. Here's a quick look at where and why.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Topics: Closures, Executive, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Par 3
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
A Longer Look at Short Course Supply
While new Par 3 courses grab attention, has overall supply been increasing?

Short courses have accounted for over 1/4 of new course development over the past decade – a number of highly-visible examples at resort properties – despite accounting for 10% of overall supply.
Topics: Engagement, Executive, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses

Is Golf Coming Up Short?

Are we really in the midst of a short course movement in golf? Yes. And no...
Topics: Closures, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses

NJ, NY and PA see increased play after Nor'Easter effect in Feb 2021
Buoyed by strong play totals in the South and parts of the Northeast, February 2022 rounds rose on a national level compared to the year prior.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation
Topics: Database, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Municipal Golf
A few high-profile fights for the preservation of municipal golf courses have led some to believe that Muni golf is facing an existential threat. It isn’t. Well, at least in 49 out of 50 states it isn’t.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
"this legislative initiative is based, at least in part, on inaccurate information"
Municipal golf is under fire in California, misguidedly so. See the attached PDF for NGF's full response.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers, Municipal Golf
A new year brings new rounds-played data
On a national level, January '22 rounds didn't match the relatively strong starts seen the past two years, at least for regions in season.
Topics: Engagement, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation, Rounds Played
"We thought we could never keep up with the fall of 2020”
Nationwide, play in 2021 increased by almost 6% over 2020. The biggest gains were seen in the spring given that during 2020 over half of U.S. golf courses were shut down for more than a month. But for the year, it was this category that really spurred rounds increases.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golfers, Participation