October 2018 National Rounds Played
Rounds of golf for October dropped 10.3% compared to a year ago as temperatures dipped in many major golf regions across the country. The national year-to-date total is now -3.9%
Mike Whan – LPGA Commissioner
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan talks with the NGF about his tour’s trajectory, inspiration and business advice, his first job in golf and his outlook for the golf industry overall.
NGF Research Snapshot: Golf Outings and Events
In the past year, 62% of golfers played in some kind of social or competitive golf event. Find out which ones were most popular.
The ROI on Course Renovations
The biggest form of investment for golf facilities over the past decade — and particularly since the Great Recession — has been course restorations and renovations. So, just what are these properties seeing in return?
Ask the NGF
What information would most help your business?
Golfers
Take Action, Invite Her to The Course
NGF research finds that nearly 30% of non-golfing women are interested in picking up the sport in the immediate future. Jane Geddes, the chairperson for WE ARE GOLF’s Women’s Task Force, on the industry’s #inviteHER initiative.
How Celebrities Sell Golf
Some of the biggest stars in sports, music and Hollywood gravitate to golf in their free time and after their professional careers. See how these high-profile participants are affecting public perception of this game of a lifetime and showing that “golf is cool.”
NGF Research Snapshot: What Are Golfers Buying?
From clubs and bags to balls and shoes, here is what golfers have spent their money on in the past year.
Golf Courses
A Course by Any Other Name
What’s in a name? The Shore Club, Cobblestone Creek and Bluestone are among a host of aging private facilities that underwent a full re-brand, and substantial investment, in order to appeal to wider pool of golfers and entice the next generation of members.
Golf’s Social Circle
Golfers are increasingly staying connected with their favorite courses through social media, particularly among the younger generation. What are facilities (and brands) doing to keep pace with this trend and stay relevant?
Professional Course Management: Growing Market has Ample ‘White Space’
The number of U.S. golf facilities working with professional management companies has increased from 10.6 percent in 2006 to about 16 percent currently.
General Interest
Giving Back to Golf
PGA TOUR Superstore has one of the strongest trajectories in the game, with plans to hit 50 locations by 2020. The company is also focusing on introducing more people to the game, increasing participation and enhancing engagement.
Golf Participation: Opportunity Knocks
In some ways, golf looks much as it did 20 to 25 years ago. The game is also different in many respects and participation is evolving. NGF President Joe Beditz weighs in on the changing face of golf, Millennials in the sport and generational risk.
Destination Golf
In an era when land is becoming increasingly valuable near major metropolitan centers, many golfers are eager to get off the beaten path to find great golf. Here’s a look at how some of these destination properties have found success.
NGF News & Reports
NGF Issues 2018 Golf Industry Report
The National Golf Foundation’s Golf Industry Report consolidates many of the game’s key data points in a single publication and is intended to provide the most holistic view of the business of golf and the health of the game to stakeholders and the media.
NGF Releases Report on $20.5 Billion Golf Travel Industry
The NGF’s first Travel Report in 11 years finds that a total of 8.2 million golfers played 57.6 million rounds of golf while traveling for business or leisure in 2017.
The NGF’s Inaugural Top 100 Businesses in Golf: from Acushnet to Yamaha
The NGF GOLF 100 was created to recognize and celebrate the most successful, influential and innovative companies, organizations and associations in golf.
