Exclusive NGF Articles and Reports
Play gets off to a stronger start than in 2022
Several regions in the Frostbelt saw far less snow than January of 2022, yielding more playable days and a boost in play to kick off the year.
Topics: Engagement, Facilities, Facility Operations, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities
Rounds of golf played nationally in 2022 didn't measure up to the record-setting totals of 2021. Weather played a role in the downturn, especially in the shoulder months of this past year.
Topics: Facilities, Golf Courses, Golf Facilities, Participation, Research
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
