Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Rounds of golf for March remained relatively stable at a national level, with declines on the East Coast offset by West Coast gains driven by warm, dry weather.
Each of the past four years have seen record or near record levels of Americans hitting the road to play golf and 2026 is poised to reach a new high in golf travel. Golf trips, whether with friends, family, significant others, colleagues or clients, are a vital part of the industry because they concentrate spend, time and engagement in ways everyday play doesn’t. And this elevated demand is impacting U.S. supply.
Interest in golf among non-golfers is close to record levels, even as the number of on-course participants has jumped by 20% over the past six years (with an even bigger increase in engagement among off-course formats). While maintaining high levels of attraction is important, converting that interest into sustainable participation is critical for the game’s future.
Examining Golf Engagement Further ‘Off-Course’
While not included in off-course participation measures, mini golf, VR golf and video games see notable growth
Outside the current definition of "off-course participation," a number of golf-related activities that engage participants away from the golf course continue to grow. And they expand the game's reach, reinforce awareness, and help serve as a gateway to participation with other forms of off-course golf and even traditional, green-grass play.
Grateful for Golf
"Being in your dream job ... now that's gangster!"
Greg Nathan reflects with the United States Golf Association’s Golf Journal on his path from Madison Avenue to becoming CEO of the National Golf Foundation, golf's leading data insights and strategic consulting organization.
Topic: Media & Marketing
Assessing Golf’s Pricing Power – and Playing Fees
A deeper member look at golf's public pricing, including at the state level, the difference between municipal, daily fee and resort green fees, and the game's cost changes over the past six years.
The Truth About Golf’s Rising Green Fees
Following a decade of limited pricing power, peak green fees at public golf facilities in the U.S. have increased during the 'post-pandemic era." How closely do these increases mirror that of changes in inflation over that same period from 2019 to 2025?
2026 Graffis Report
Topics: Associations, Business Management, Course Operations, Design & Construction, Equipment & Gear, Events & Tourism, Facility Management, Facility Services, Green-Grass Facility, Instruction, Media & Marketing, Off-course Facility, Real Estate & Investment, Retail, Specialized Services, Technology & Innovation
Greg Joins The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts -- filmed on the floor of the PGA Show -- Greg breaks down the latest State of the Industry data, including record rounds, almost 38 million Americans playing off-course golf, 20% green-grass participation growth since 2019, and how simulators and social golf are reshaping access to the game.
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
Momentum across the recreational side of the U.S. golf industry remained broadly positive in 2025. Indicators continue to point to sustainability in both participation and play amid a recalibrated, higher baseline for the game – perspective that’s highlighted in NGF’s annual Golf Industry Report.
Topics: Associations, Business Management, Course Operations, Facility Management, Facility Services, Green-Grass Facility, Media & Marketing, Off-course Facility, Retail, Specialized Services, Technology & Innovation
2026 Graffis Report
Topics: Associations, Business Management, Course Operations, Design & Construction, Equipment & Gear, Facility Management, Green-Grass Facility, Retail, Technology & Innovation
2026 Graffis Report
