Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Colder temps across U.S. lead to decrease in play to close out year
One year after an unseasonably warm December yielded strong end-of-year play totals, national rounds to close out the final month of 2022 saw a fairly significant year-over-year drop. Find out how much:
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Thanks to less-than-favorable golf weather in many parts of the country, November rounds were down notably compared to a year ago.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golfers, Research
Questions lingered throughout the year when it came to rounds: Would demand dip? Would golf’s Covid dividends begin to wane? As 2022 winds down, here's how national play is stacking up.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Participation, Research
Play in October still trended ahead of recent pre-pandemic years
Rounds of golf for October 2022 were relatively flat nationally compared to a year ago, with a slight change within the range of typical weather-related fluctuation.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Play sees slight YOY dip after three months of summer increases
Rounds of golf for September 2022 were down almost 2% compared to the same period a year ago, the first year-over-year decline in national play over the past four months.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Participation, Research
A summer resurgence showed 2022's slow start was attributable to poor golf weather rather than a softening in demand
“We were down significantly in April and not exactly sure what to expect... and then it came roaring back.”
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
The peak-season, summer months of June, July and August are disproportionately important for the golf industry -- a make-or-break period for most golf facilities. This summer, the industry climbed out of the hole that Mother Nature dug early in the year.
Topics: Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation
Strong summer pulls 2022 rounds totals closer to record 2021
August of 2022 yielded the third straight peak-season month of year-over-year play increases at U.S. golf courses.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, General Interest, Golf Courses
June, July Rebound Suggest Rounds Retention
Play continues to trend ahead of recent pre-pandemic years

After strong play totals in June and July, YTD play entering August was trailing the record pace of 2021 by only 4%. And there are clear signs of retaining recent gains.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Golfers

Peak season play saw a slight increase for second straight month
July rounds continued June's momentum, with a slight increase even over the record-setting pace of 2021
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golf Courses, Research, Rounds Played
What is golf's pandemic dividend?
With the June 2022 national rounds report out, we now have a full 24 months of supporting data since golfers have been unencumbered by pandemic restrictions. Here's a closer look:
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Golfers, Participation, Research