Golf industry leaders weigh in on the opportunity for golf and how businesses and organizations might best take advantage.

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?

Total on- and off-course golf equipment sales were $388.6 million in July, a single-month record since Golf Datatech began tracking golf retail sales in 1997.

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.