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.
How 7 Golf Courses Addressed Environmental Challenges
Seven golf course projects were honored by the ASGCA for their innovative environmental efforts that have made their facilities more sustainable and profitable. See what was done:
July 2019 National Rounds Played Report
The number of golf rounds played nationwide during the month of July was essentially unchanged, down 0.1% year-over-year.
Ted Eleftheriou Joins NGF as VP of Player Development & Engagement
Ted Eleftheriou has joined the NGF as VP of Player Development & Engagement and will lead efforts to reconnect with the organization’s player development roots. Eleftheriou spent the previous five years as the PGA of America’s Director of Program Development.
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Golfers
NGF Research Snapshot: Professional Golf Instruction
The NGF’s latest research infographic looks at the size and scope of the golf instruction market and examines how avidity influences the likelihood of taking lessons.
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.
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 Courses
Motor City Magic
The story of public golf in Detroit hasn’t been so rosy in recent years, but three area courses are rewriting their history. At Rackham, Chandler and Rouge Park, revenue is up 27% since last year. Here are some reasons why.
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.
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.
General Interest
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.
Golf’s Online Economy
The Internet is changing sales tactics everywhere and as Amazon becomes a bigger force in retail, it is affecting nearly every vertical and category — golf included.
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’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.