Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
A year after the third warmest February on record allowed many golf courses in northern states to get an early jump on the 2024 golf season, the more typical wintry weather conditions in those same states prevented a repeat.
Topics: Courses, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds
Topics: Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Topics: 9-Hole, Facilities, Facility Supply, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Topics: Daily Fee, Facilities, Facility Supply, General Interest, Golf Courses
Topics: Facility Supply, Golf Communities, Golf Course Communities, Golf Real Estate, Real Estate
NGF's 2025 Golf Facilities in the U.S. Report - Now Available
Key year-end data on the world's best-supplied golf market

This comprehensive annual member report provides an in-depth overview of golf facility supply in the U.S. -- from historical trends in the number of golf facilities to detailed information on total supply by state and region, Top 10 lists by state supply, a facility health update, a breakdown of supply by facility type, golf courses in-planning and under construction, the latest on openings and closures, and much more.
Topics: Development, Facilities, Facility Operations, Facility Supply, General Interest

Golf’s Course Correction Is Over

U.S. golf course development and investment in existing faciltiies are up, including an increased number of renovations, reconstructions, and resurrections. Meanwhile, the number of annual course closures has decreased for five straight years, with the 2024 total dipping to its lowest levels in two decades. The result is a supply stability that has legs.
Topics: Closures, Construction, Development, Facilities, Facility Supply

Seasonal sluggish start to 2025
January is one of the lowest-volume months of the year when it comes to national play, with about two-thirds of the country still awaiting a true start to their golf season. Even colder temperatures to start 2025 than the prior year contributed to a sluggish start for rounds.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
NGF’s 2025 Participation in the U.S. Report – Now Available
Year-end 2024 data for on- and off-course participation in the world's biggest golf market.

This annual summary through year-end 2024 provides the latest data on golf participation — both traditional on-course golfers and those who engage with the game away from the course. The report includes detailed information on key segments such as beginners, women, people of color, juniors, and a closer look at the continually-expanding pool of non-golfers who say they’re very interested in playing the game.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, Females, General Interest

Golf Participation: Growing & Diversifying

The face of golf may have changed more in the past five years than the previous 50. Golf’s latest participation numbers are out and they reveal unprecedented diversity in the game -- both on and off the course.
Topics: Beginners, Demand, Engagement, General Interest, Golfers

Course Economics in the Experience Era

When a tee time goes unfilled, a golf course doesn’t just lose the greens fee – it loses all the revenue accompaniments that would have come with it. It’s why we dove deeper into the concept of RevPOTT, or the estimated total revenue per occupied tee time at public golf facilities.
Topics: Consumer Spending, Economy, Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations

The annual National Rounds Report provides a summary overview of play across the U.S. in 2024 — from national and state levels. This member report takes a look at rounds trends, with comparisons to pre-pandemic engagement and details about play levels based on age groups, participation segments, and avidity.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses