3-Minute Business Insights
While traditional golf participation has continued to climb in recent years, engagement has been even more pronounced away from the course – and that includes screen and simulated growth. Gains in this growing sector, among both participants and availability, are even more significant since the start of the pandemic.
Golf's Off-Course to On-Course Pathway
Assessing off-course impact on green grass engagement: Member Exclusive
The growth and evolution of off-course forms of golf have led to questions (and opinions) about its impact on the traditional game. Here's a closer look at that divide and the latest research into how green-grass participation, trials and interest are being affected.
The Largest-Growing Sport in America
How has the increase in off-course golf offerings and access impacted the traditional game? It’s conceivable that neither the pre-pandemic stability nor post-pandemic growth we’ve enjoyed in green grass participation happen without the catalytic effects of the “grassless” game.
NGF members can click here to access the full report
Amid the Covid-driven changes throughout the golf industry, one of the participation segments seeing the most significant growth is one that makes up just over half the U.S. population.
As participation levels have increased in recent years, this particular segment has seen a 36% increase in on-course golfers since the start of the pandemic.
New On-Ramps Help Boost Golf Participation
Proliferation of off-course golf is a factor in on-course growth
Looking broadly at the game’s evolution and its overall participant base, the total number of on- and off-course golfers in the U.S. has risen to record levels because of the emergence and continued growth of non-traditional forms of the game.
New Milestones in Golf’s Evolution
Golf’s evolution has been under way for some years now, long before more recent changes spurred by the pandemic, and two milestones hit this year are significant.
Like other aspects of golf, mini golf is evolving – with new forms and concepts
As new golf entertainment versions of mini golf crop up, with investment from prominent names like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, it leads to inevitable questions about the impact these kinds of 'golf' experiences might have on interest in playing on a real golf course.
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?
Golf’s overall participation base in the U.S. – combining on- and off-course players – rose 8% in 2020 to 36.9 million. This leaves us with three closely-sized and mutually-exclusive groups of Americans.
And it probably won’t be long before traditional, “green grass” participants are out-numbered. Perhaps as soon as this year.
NGF's Graffis Report, a overview of an unprecedented year for the golf business in 2020, is now available for NGF members.
