3-Minute Business Insights
Thanks to one final late-season surge in December – which incidentally was the warmest ever in the U.S. – play levels at U.S. golf courses finished in uncharted territory in 2023.
Year is capped by biggest jump for any month in 2023
Play climbed to record levels in 2023 as December rounds finished with a late surge.
NGF's annual golf industry report is now available for member download.
The pandemic era uptick in golf popularity and play has meant some property owners and visionaries are actively building golf courses – much more so than a decade ago or so. This development looks quite different than it did during the boom era of golf course construction, however.
New golf course construction has been on an upswing since the pandemic. NGF's database team is currently tracking more than 100 new course projects under construction or in planning.
While November, on a national level, is a low-volume month with rounds largely dependent on golf-friendly weather and seasonality in many parts of the country, it saw the second-biggest YOY jump of any month in 2023.
Examining Rounds Sustainability
Interest, intent, pandemic play trends, and price increases
Here’s what the latest Core golfer surveys reveal about “itch” and intent to play, trends in post-pandemic rounds growth, and potential obstacles to future play – including full tee sheets and rising green fees.
Rounds of golf in October were relatively flat on a national level compared to a year ago, with the biggest fluctuations in northern parts of the country most significantly affected by seasonality and fall weather impacts.
While traditional golf participation has continued to climb in recent years, engagement has been even more pronounced away from the course – and that includes screen and simulated growth. Gains in this growing sector, among both participants and availability, are even more significant since the start of the pandemic.
Rounds played saw slight national gain in September, with increases driven primarily by certain pockets of the country.
Golf's charitable impact is unrivaled compared to other sports, with an annual total that's up 18% in the latest measure.
The Growth of Destination Golf
A closer look at one of golf's biggest development categories
Whether its golf destinations, destination golf resorts or destination golf in general, this niche continues to grow in popularity – on both the public and private side.
