Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
The Changing Face of Golf League Participation
Compared to pre-2020 (prior to the pandemic), golf league participants are notably younger and more diverse -- increasingly reflective of the broader population the industry has long sought to engage. This member sidebar delves into the demographic shifts of recreational golf league participation.
Rounds of golf for March remained relatively stable at a national level, with declines on the East Coast offset by West Coast gains driven by warm, dry weather.
National play sees second straight YOY monthly gain to start 2026
Is the strong start to the year surprising?
January 2026 saw the biggest year-over-year jump in rounds of golf played since 2021.
A Closer Look at Golf’s Run of Record Rounds
New member report and insight into play by age, segment, season and pre-Covid comps
Member graphics and a summary report offer a closer examination of the recent run of record-setting U.S. play, with looks at “post-Covid era” as well as pre-pandemic years, the total volume of rounds played by various geographic regions, includes play by segment, age cohorts and avidity, and takes a broad look at weather-related impacts.
Record Rounds Again in 2025, with 2K Fewer Courses
The post-pandemic surge has proven more durable than some initially expected, with rounds of golf at U.S. courses climbing to yet another all-time high in 2025. It's a run that has similarities to the early 2000s "Tiger Boom," but is far from apples-to-apples comparison.
Topics: Course Operations, Facility Management
2025 finishes in record-setting territory for fourth time in five years
Play for the low-volume month of December was virtually unchanged from a year ago, resulting in another record year for rounds of golf played at U.S. courses.
October rounds see slight national year-over-year decline as cooler, wetter weather slows strong play momentum in certain regions.
September rounds of golf were up again on a national level over the same period a year ago, keeping the U.S. golf market on pace for a record-setting year for rounds in 2025.
August rounds of golf saw the biggest year-over-year jump of any month this year, pushing the industry slightly ahead of the record-setting play pace set in 2024.
Greg Nathan, CEO of the National Golf Foundation, joins the Barstool Sports guys to break down the unprecedented growth of golf -- from skyrocketing participation and new player demographics to the evolution of how the game is played and experienced.
