Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Golf Facilities Report Now Available
Annual Members-Only Report Provides Supply Overview
This comprehensive annual summary provides an overview of golf facility supply in the U.S., the world’s best-supplied golf market.
U.S. Golf Supply Changes
Highest Proportion of Private Golf by State
Participation and Engagement Rise Again
Heading into year three of Covid-19, the virus seemingly continues to benefit golf even while hampering parts of the economy and frustrating millions ready to be ‘done’ with it. Here's what golf participation looked like for 2021 from a high level.
Highest Public Golf Percentage by State
2021 Play Looks to Finish on December Upswing
NGF member-only rounds analysis
What do early returns on December's nationwide play show after the final month of 2020 had a 37% jump?
We Did It... We Will Beat Last Year's Rounds
Coming into the year, only the most optimistic thought the industry could beat 2020 rounds. Here's how 2021 play shaped up.
Santa Is On the First Tee
Consumer surveys indicate that gift-giving for all things golf – including equipment, apparel and accessories -- is projected to remain strong this holiday season, even as manufacturers and retailers wrestle with production, inventory and shipping challenges.
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.
Green Fee Changes and the Cost of Golf
NGF operator surveys and database dive into whether the pandemic has driven price increases
A recent survey of public golf course operators revealed fairly widespread pricing adjustments in 2021 that impacted average playing fees. Those increases varied from bumps in peak season and non-peak rates to limited discounting and a shifting of what courses consider their “peak season.”
Golf Course Operators Regain Some Pricing Power
Amid nationwide surges in play, over a third of public golf courses have bumped up their peak season fees after years of lagging behind the inflation rate. Yet golf continues to shine as an affordable option compared to other activities that take a similar amount of time.
New Normal or Old Normal?
Can golf's current higher levels of demand be sustained? History suggests the answer is "Yes."
