Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

August rounds follow regional precipitation changes as summer play finishes strong
August 2024 National Rounds Played
August rounds were up in six of eight geographic regions, with all of those experiencing less precipitation than a year ago. Two regions on the East coast saw fewer rounds thanks to wetter weather than a year ago, but play at U.S. golf facilities overall remained steady through the end of the peak summer months. 
Topics: General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Management Company, Participation
August 2024 National Rounds Played
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
Does Golf Have a Capacity Problem?
Does Golf Have a Capacity Problem?
More golfers have played more rounds over the past several years and this means U.S. golf courses – broadly speaking — are busier than ever. So what are operators and golfers saying about current capacity, whether it's being able to run a facility efficiently given the manpower and course conditioning, or getting tee times at crowded public courses on the weekend?
Topics: Capacity, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Does Golf Have a Capacity Problem?
Top U.S. Metro Areas for Golf
Top U.S. Metro Areas for Golf
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Top U.S. Metro Areas for Golf
Slight peak season dip in play driven by hotter temperatures in parts of southern U.S.
July 2024 National Rounds Played
Record or near-record high July temperatures in a number of golf-rich states, including Florida and California, helped keep national play levels below 2023 pace -- at least for the month.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
July 2024 National Rounds Played
9-hole community course has sand greens and is free to play
Unique Golf Course Re-Opens After 20-Year Closure
Thanks to the support of locals, golf is back as a recreational amenity for this tiny town in rural North Dakota, with a free-to-play Par 3 course that has some of the most unusual greens in the golf world. 
Topics: Development, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Unique Golf Course Re-Opens After 20-Year Closure
List of U.S. Courses With Sand Greens
Topics: Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Sand Greens
List of U.S. Courses With Sand Greens
Midyear Rounds Update: Peak Play Numbers
The U.S. golf industry is now in its 50th month since pandemic-related restrictions on golf were lifted in 2020. And the numbers continue to reinforce that we're enjoying a "new normal" when it comes to play.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses
Midyear Rounds Update: Peak Play Numbers
Midyear Update: Worldwide Golf Course Development
There are hundreds of new golf courses in varying stages of development around the world, with over half of those in the pipeline within the U.S. So, which other countries are especially active in the world of golf course construction?
Topics: Closures, Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply
Midyear Update: Worldwide Golf Course Development
Contextualizing 2024's Course Closures
Taking a closer look at mid-year supply changes - stocks & flows
Contextualizing 2024's Course Closures
New course development is up fairly significantly, but midyear course closures continue to outpace openings. Here is some added context on the "why" behind inevitable course shutdowns in the U.S. market.
Topics: Closures, Course Closures, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
Contextualizing 2024's Course Closures

Learn from NGF Members

Golf as Life
Let me introduce myself—I’m Mike Klemme. You may not recognize my name, but if you’ve ever flipped through a golf magazine, visited a course, or…
Learn More
Ship Sticks
Whether you’re the head planner of your upcoming buddies golf trip or simply along for the ride, we’ve gathered a few easy ways to keep…
Learn More
Amanda Fontaine
Raking bunkers on a golf course was literally child’s play for Amanda Fontaine. Today, it’s part of her job as IGM’s Golf Course Superintendent at…
Learn More