September 2019 National Rounds Played Report
Rounds of golf for September 2019 were up 4.7% compared to a year ago thanks to increases in play throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Through the first three-quarters of the year, the national rounds-played total is now up a modest 0.6% year-over-year.
NGF Releases Golf Instruction Report
An inside look at the $1 billion golf instruction market, utilizing golfer-reported data through NGF’s Participation & Engagement Study. This special report highlights the total number of lessons taken and delves further into the demographics and characteristics of lesson-takers, from age and income to avidity and ability.
The Modern-Day Bobby Jones
Thanks to the efforts of a passionate group of citizens, the Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta has been transformed from “an obsolete, dangerous golf course” into one with a revolutionary reversible layout, state of the art practice facilities, and programming designed to grow the game of golf.
NGF Research Snapshot: How Old Are Your Golf Clubs?
Almost 1/3 of golfers bought at least one new club last year. The Q’s latest NGF research snapshot takes a closer look at the average age of clubs currently in golfers’ bags.
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Golfers
Measuring Golfer Dedication
Customer satisfaction, the likelihood to recommend and the likelihood to return are the three pillars of customer loyalty research. They’re also the key components to the NGF’s new Golfer Dedication measure, which was introduced as a way to quantify the commitment of golf’s customers.
Golf’s Sweet Spot: Gen G
While there’s significant focus on Baby Boomers, Millennials and Juniors, it’s ‘Gen G’ that’s the most significant age group for the golf industry. One presentation at the 2019 NGF Golf Business Symposium took a closer look at the importance of this generational impact.
Golf Participation Shows Positive Trends
The NGF’s annual Participation Report provides the latest data on golfers both on and off the course, including detailed information on segments such as beginners, women, non-Caucasian, juniors and a closer look at the growing pool of non-golfers who say they’re very interested in playing the game now.
Golf Courses
Not All Golf Course Closures Are Failures
The closing of a popular or once-popular golf course isn’t typically celebrated, but the reality is that not every golf course is destined to live forever. In some cases, a golf course served its purpose and its remnants will reward its users equally well, or even better. For some course owners, selling is a long-planned exit strategy.
Better Understanding Municipal Golf
There’s often surprise expressed by journalists, politicians and the general public that a municipal golf course, or system of courses, might actually “lose” money for a government entity. But making money isn’t the primary motivation that drives a municipality to offer golf as recreation for its residents. Still, the reality is that the majority – about 67 percent — of public-agency golf courses and facilities report making enough revenue to cover all on-site operating expenses.
Driving Revenues with New Approaches
With the success of Topgolf and the increasing consumption of golf in non-traditional formats, many golf course operators are seeking ways to re-create the atmosphere and excitement that these off-course venues provide. Here’s a closer look inside one example that’s engaging more customers while beefing up the bottom line.
General Interest
How Golf is Helping Hurricane Relief Efforts in the Bahamas
While golf is an afterthought during a humanitarian crisis, the game plays a vital role in the Bahamas, where more than 60 percent of the gross domestic product is dependent on tourism, the most of any Caribbean nation. And several prominent companies within the golf business are helping deliver financial support through their Abaco 501(c)3 charities to provide relief for the people of the northern Bahamas. Pro golfers are also stepping up to lend support and here’s how you can help as well.
Golf Uses Less Water Than You Think
What percentage of water used for irrigation in the U.S. goes to golf courses? The answer might surprise.
Here’s what the golf industry has done to further reduce golf’s water usage, increase efficiency and incorporate innovative technologies.
Youth Caddie Academies – A Growing Niche
In an era when most teenagers would rather pick up a phone than a golf bag, youth caddying has been fighting to stay as relevant as it was in years past. However, organizations like the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, Youth on Course Caddie Academy and the Western Golf Association’s Carry the Game advocacy group are helping to put more bags on more shoulders every year.
NGF News & Reports
NGF’s 2019 Golf Facilities Report
The NGF’s annual Facilities Report provides a comprehensive overview of golf facility supply in the U.S., the world’s best-supplied golf market.
NGF Releases 2019 Golf Industry Report
The NGF’s annual Golf Industry Report consolidates many of the game’s key metrics, from participation to course supply, providing a holistic view of golf’s health and vitality.
NGF Releases 2018 Rounds-Played Summary
The National Rounds Played Summary provides an overview of the total number of rounds of golf played throughout the U.S. in 2018.
