Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
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
NGF's recent survey of Core golfers indicated 73% recalled Tee It Forward, but a much smaller percentage had actually moved up in recent years. Here's what they found, and what's keeping others from moving forward a tee.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
Based on research from the NGF’s definitive international facility database, the R&A's biennial Golf Around the World Report is back and counts golf courses in 206 of the world’s 251 countries -- with more than 38,000 courses globally.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
July Rounds Down Slightly, as Expected
NGF Member Bulletin
While July rounds were down year-over-year, play is still trending closer to 2020's 'surge' levels than prior, pre-pandemic years.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Rounds Played
There have been far more golf course closures than openings in the U.S. over the past 15 years. But did you realize that almost 740 U.S. golf courses have had openings during that period? That total, during what’s looked at as a “down period” for the industry, is more than the entire golf course supply in nations such as Scotland, Ireland, Spain and South Africa.
Topics: Construction, Development, Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Public Golf, Research
A Deeper Look Inside the Supply of Par 3 Layouts in the U.S.
Del Ratcliffe fully appreciates the benefits of a Par 3 golf course. He grew up playing one his father built in 1960 on a farm about 10 to 15 miles outside of downtown Charlotte. Today, Ratcliffe owns or operates five facilities in the Charlotte area – four of which feature a Par 3 layout of some fashion. Nationwide, all but one state in the U.S. has a par 3 golf course.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, Golf Courses
Not All Golf Course Closures Are Failures
Some owners plan exit strategies around high demand for real estate
The closing of a popular or once-popular golf course isn’t typically celebrated, but the reality is that not every golf course is destined to live forever. In some cases, a golf course served its purpose and its remnants will reward its users equally well, or even better. For some course owners, selling is a long-planned exit strategy.
Topics: Closures, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
U.S. Golf Facility Supply Since 1930
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Supply
