Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Buttoning Up Play in 2021
Play in 2021 finished ahead of 2020 after yet another positive year-over-year gain for December. See how many more rounds that translated to.
Heading into year three of Covid-19, the virus seemingly continues to benefit golf even while hampering parts of the economy and frustrating millions ready to be ‘done’ with it. Here's what golf participation looked like for 2021 from a high level.
After a 2021 that was special for golf, 2022 brings more opportunity. Among the exciting news from NGF: a newly redesigned website filled with new content.
What it is, Why it's important for golf, and How it works
Welcome2Golf is NGF’s effort to introduce adult non-golfers to the game of golf and improve the beginner experience to convert more newcomers into committed golfers. After all, almost 75% of the record 3 million+ beginners each of the past two years are 18 or older.
Golf has had a record number of beginners each of the past two years, with the vast majority of newcomers being adults. And yet, when one thinks of beginner golf programs, the tendency is to focus on junior initiatives. So where are all the adult-specific introductory efforts?
One of the overarching questions prompted by increased golf engagement over the past 18 months is whether the industry will be able to hold on those new golfers who have taken up the sport. But our research shows a notable difference between retention and conversion.
How 2021 Rounds Compare to 2020 Entering Q4
It's likely year-over-year play will continue to be down in the final months of the year, but it's important to keep these declines in proper perspective.
Golf Course Operators Regain Some Pricing Power
Amid nationwide surges in play, over a third of public golf courses have bumped up their peak season fees after years of lagging behind the inflation rate. Yet golf continues to shine as an affordable option compared to other activities that take a similar amount of time.
New Normal or Old Normal?
Can golf's current higher levels of demand be sustained? History suggests the answer is "Yes."
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.
Tee It Forward - Ten Years Later
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.
