After summer spikes in play and spend, how will the industry retain new golfers and sustain increased levels of play when Covid is finally in the rear view?

After significant jumps in play during the months of June and July, rounds for 2020 are now outpacing the same period from a year ago.

Rounds of golf were up almost 20% nationwide in July, helping the industry continue its comeback after losing 20 million spring rounds due to the coronavirus. Entering August, play was up 3% year-over-year.

June play was up in every state in the continental U.S. and follows a 6% bump in May play. Continued strong momentum in July and August would offset the loss of 20 million spring rounds or perhaps surpass last year’s play.

Three out of four golf travelers say they’re willing to drive more than four hours each way for a golf getaway, and those with a trip still planned for 2020 indicate they’ll spend an average of six to seven hours in the car just getting to their destination. It’s why U.S. golf resorts and destinations should — and are — continuing to aggressively target their drive-in markets.