Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
NGF’s top award recognizes contributions to growing the game and business of golf
Topics: Facility Management, Green-Grass Facility
The Price to Play
Examining the changes in public playing fees and the average 18-hole rate by state
When detailing the average price of public golf, it’s not uncommon to hear the refrain, “But that’s not it costs to play golf where I live.” And there’s a reality behind those assertions. Not only can peak weekend fees be substantially higher, but playing fees vary widely by geography as well as the type of public facility.
Masters of Loyalty: Strategies Beyond Points and Perks
The Masters Tournament has cultivated one of the most passionate followings in any industry. It's a phenomenon worthy of attention, especially as the golf industry more broadly examines strategies that can build enduring loyalty -- without points or perks.
Americans Still Playing More Golf
When looking at rounds-played momentum on the heels of the peak season, the only real question has been whether the weather will hold up. Hurricane season was a not-so-gentle reminder of the impact weather has on an outdoor sport like golf.
August rounds follow regional precipitation changes as summer play finishes strong
August rounds were up in six of eight geographic regions, with all of those experiencing less precipitation than a year ago. Two regions on the East coast saw fewer rounds thanks to wetter weather than a year ago, but play at U.S. golf facilities overall remained steady through the end of the peak summer months.
The U.S. golf industry is now in its 50th month since pandemic-related restrictions on golf were lifted in 2020. And the numbers continue to reinforce that we're enjoying a "new normal" when it comes to play.
Get the full accounting on U.S. golf courses and facilities through year-end 2023
The newest member reports on golf supply in the U.S. are now available, including a comprehensive 46-page dive into the world's best supplied-golf market. As a complement to this annual report is a one-page summary overview of golf facility supply in the U.S. Click here to access and download.
An Inside Look at the Golf Management Space
The evolution and growth of MCOs in the U.S. golf market
An Update on the Golf Management Space
More than one in seven U.S. golf facilities are now being managed by an MCO, or multi-course operator. It's a market penetration that's risen 18% in the past decade-plus.
Need to Know Numbers About Golf Course Closures
Member-Only Look at Ongoing Supply Correction
During the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. golf course market has experienced noteworthy changes. In 2021, course closure numbers reached a level not seen in over a decade.
