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2024 Was a Continuation of an Exciting Era
Golf continues to evolve. Those who’ve been around the game for a while know it changes rather glacially. 2024 continued a progressive and exciting era in our sport. The game’s traditions are still being honored. It’s ageless spirit and sense of community preserved. But the ways in which consumers are engaging with golf and consuming the game are growing and changing.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
2024 Was a Continuation of an Exciting Era
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
NGF's Golf Industry Report, named in honor of NGF's founders Herb and Joe Graffis, compiles many of the game’s key data points on the business of golf and the health of the game in a single publication: golf participation, engagement, rounds-played, golf course supply and development, golf equipment sales, retail supply, the game’s reach, and more.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest
NGF’s State-of-Industry Report for 2024
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
NGF's annual state-of-industry report is out and available for members, providing a holistic look at the U.S. golf industry for 2024. Momentum across the recreational side of the U.S. golf industry remained broadly positive this past year, and future indicators point to sustainability when it comes to participation and play.
Topics: Economy, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes
70M+ Americans Changed Their Views on Golf
70M+ Americans Changed Their Views on Golf
Recreational golf has enjoyed a renaissance in the post-pandemic era – with increases in participation, play and engagement – and a key driver has been an increasingly positive narrative surrounding the game. Perceptions of golf and golf’s brand have shifted dramatically over the past decade or so, and social media has helped lead the charge.
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golfers, Image Of The Game, Latent Demand
70M+ Americans Changed Their Views on Golf
Rounds Played by Age Group
Rounds Played by Age Group
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
Rounds Played by Age Group
A New Age in Golf?
A New Age in Golf?
With the influx of new golfers in the post-Covid era and the perceptions that the game is becoming younger and cooler, has the average age of a golfer changed much? NGF research shows that 71% of the post-pandemic rounds growth has come from golfers under the age of 50.
Topics: Age, Engagement, General Interest, Golfer Age Groups, Golfers
A New Age in Golf?
Examining Golf's Age Differences, On Course and Off
A members' look at differences in golfer age by gender, frequency of play and more
Examining Golf's Age Differences, On Course and Off
While perceived by some as a game comprised mostly of an older participant base, the numbers tell a different story -- at least from a golfer standpoint. And the game gets even younger when considering golf entertainment and other off-course forms of golf.
Topics: Age, Beginners, Golfer Age Groups, Golfers, Participation
Examining Golf's Age Differences, On Course and Off
Golf's Never-Ending Quest
Golf's Never-Ending Quest
Golf isn’t a game of perfect. There’s always room for improvement. Better performance invariably leads to more play… and, in turn, more spend and a deeper connection. So, how many golfers are taking instruction? And what's the overall economic impact of the tens of millions of lessons on the industry at large?
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Lessons
Golf's Never-Ending Quest
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
A deeper dive into trends, behaviors and participation across segments in the $1.5B golf instruction category
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
Amid golf's increases in popularity, participation and play in recent years, how has instruction grown and evolved? This member deliverable examines the jump in the number of golfers taking instruction (and the number of lessons), and delves into engagement by ability, avidity, age, and participation segments.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Game Improvement, General Interest, Golf Instruction
Golf's Growing Instructional Landscape
Golf Instruction Overview
Golf Instruction Overview
Topics: Engagement, General Interest, Golf Lessons, Golfers, Instruction
Golf Instruction Overview
Golf Instruction by Average Score
Golf Instruction by Average Score
Topics: Engagement, Golf Lessons, Golfers, Instruction, Participation
Golf Instruction by Average Score
Golf Instruction by Participation Segments
Golf Instruction by Participation Segments
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golf Lessons, Golfers, Instruction
Golf Instruction by Participation Segments

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