Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports

8 best practices to help your business
Improving the Customer Experience
The past several years have been generally very positive for golf operators, thanks to the "Covid boom." But how should we be improving the customer experience to ensure we're prepared and positioned for the future?
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses
Improving the Customer Experience
"I find when all I do is return a phone call, they're shocked"
Record Beginners: Opportunities and Obstacles
A record 6.2 million beginners have taken up golf in the U.S. over the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Overall participation has grown over that time, but not nearly to that extent.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Participation
Record Beginners: Opportunities and Obstacles
A Boom in Beginners
Over the past two years, as the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the U.S., the number of beginning golfers has been higher than it was back when Tiger Woods was at his most dominant.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game
A Boom in Beginners
The Fight for Municipal Golf
A few high-profile fights for the preservation of municipal golf courses have led some to believe that Muni golf is facing an existential threat. It isn’t. Well, at least in 49 out of 50 states it isn’t.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golfers
The Fight for Municipal Golf
Looking Back at 2021... Looking Forward to 2022
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.
Topics: Engagement, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Grow The Game
Looking Back at 2021... Looking Forward to 2022
What it is, Why it's important for golf, and How it works
Welcome2Golf and Industry Opportunity
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.
Topics: Beginners, Economy, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game
Welcome2Golf and Industry Opportunity
Where Are All the Introductory Golf Programs for Adults?
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?
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Instruction
Where Are All the Introductory Golf Programs for Adults?
Rethinking the Retention Question
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.
Topics: Beginners, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golfers
Rethinking the Retention Question
Tiger's Long Tale
It's the 25-year anniversary of Tiger's "Hello, World" introductory press conference. His impact on the game and business of golf was almost instantaneously felt and it continues to reverberate today.
Topics: Economy, Engagement, Golfers, Grow The Game, Image Of The Game
Tiger's Long Tale
Off-Course Golf: How Big Can It Get?
The number of off-course golf participants and off-course venues continues to grow, from golf entertainment facilities like Topgolf, Drive Shack and BigShots to commercial simulator locations popping up around the country. So, how big can the off-course golf market get?
Topics: Beginners, Consumer Spending, Engagement, Golf Entertainment, Grow The Game
Off-Course Golf: How Big Can It Get?
Affordable Golf And An Opportunity to 'Give Back'
Harold Varner III knows first-hand the importance of affordable access to golf. Now, Varner is giving back through an expanded partnership with Youth on Course.
Topics: Facility Operations, Facilties, Grow The Game, Junior Golf, NGF Members
Affordable Golf And An Opportunity to 'Give Back'
NGF's State-of-Industry Graffis Report Is Available
NGF's Graffis Report, a overview of an unprecedented year for the golf business in 2020, is now available for NGF members.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses
NGF's State-of-Industry Graffis Report Is Available

Learn from NGF Members

Golf as Life
Let me introduce myself—I’m Mike Klemme. You may not recognize my name, but if you’ve ever flipped through a golf magazine, visited a course, or…
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Ship Sticks
Whether you’re the head planner of your upcoming buddies golf trip or simply along for the ride, we’ve gathered a few easy ways to keep…
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Amanda Fontaine
Raking bunkers on a golf course was literally child’s play for Amanda Fontaine. Today, it’s part of her job as IGM’s Golf Course Superintendent at…
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