3-Minute Business Insights
June is Women's Golf Month and an appropriate time to note that some of the most significant golfer gains in recent years have been among female participants. A near record number of women and girls played golf on a course in 2023, the highest participation levels in the U.S. since 2006.
Female Participation & Engagement Report Now Available
See the highlights from NGF's new member report

The recent positive momentum in the world of female golf participation hasn't just been pandemic-fueled. The overall participant pool -- when factoring both on- and off-course forms of the game -- has risen 85% over the past decade, with nearly 15 million women and girls now playing golf in one of its increasingly various forms.

Trend in Proportion of Female Golfers


New Heights for Golf Tourism?

The number of golfers traveling to play has been at or near record levels the past several years. And golfer surveys for 2024 show no sign of let-up when it comes to golf wanderlust.

The Revealing Complement Between Off and On-Course Golf
Almost 10% of golfers got started away from the golf course, and ties run deeper

In each of the past two years, the number of Americans participating in off-course forms of golf has surpassed the total number of traditional, on-course players. But the off-course game is complementing the on-course game rather than passing it by. Here's how.

Are ‘Dualies’ Golf’s Best Customer?

It's long been assumed that the traditional, green-grass golfer is golf's best customer. But research shows it's actually the committed participants who engage with the game both on course and off who really move the needle for play and spend.

New NGF Survey: Core Golfers
Golf's best customers weigh in on 2024 plans to play, travel and spend

The approximately 13 million Core Golfers in the U.S. represent about half of on-course participants but account for over 90% of annual play and spend. These are the consumers really move the needle in the golf business when it comes to play, spend and overall engagement.

The Pulse of the Golf Consumer

As the unofficial kickoff for the golf season, Masters Tournament week is an ideal time to take (and report on) the pulse of the golf consumer. More than 123 million Americans consumed golf in some fashion in 2023, a reach that's up significantly in recent years.

New Supply & Demand Reports for All 50 U.S. States
This state is #1 for public golf... and it's not Florida or California

Want to know more about the number of golfers in a particular state, or the proportion of public to private golf? Looking for information about municipal golf facilities, Par 3 courses, residential golf properties or resorts? NGF’s 1-page state profiles provide key supply and demand data at your fingertips.

Number of Golfers per Public Course - by State


On-Course Golfers by State


Examining 'Pandemic Era' On-Course Participation Changes
2024 Golf Participation in the U.S. report now available for NGF members

The 2024 Participation Report is out, featuring the latest year-end 2023 data on various segments and age groups, along with information on off-course only participants, interest in the game among non-golfers, and much more.





