Tuesday marks the 15 th annual National Golf Day. It’s worth taking a look at how the industry has fared in recent years, following the COVID-19 epidemic and the golf’s reputation as an outdoor activity that is relatively safe.
It’s good news for golf. According to the American Golf Industry Coalition, approximately one in seven Americans will be playing golf in some form in 2022. This will result in a direct economic impact of $102 billion.
The number of rounds played by players in the U.S. is a good indicator of how well the game has done in recent years.
The National Golf Foundation reported this week, using data from Golf Datatech that the combined first-quarter round from the last three years played in the U.S. is up 17 percent when compared with the same first quarter periods from 2017-2019 before COVID.
Monthly comparisons of this year to 2022 and 2020 aren’t as positive, mainly due to the weather. Recent NGF/Golf Datatech reports showed that the number of rounds played in March, 2023, was down by 2.3 percent from March, 2022. This is a drop compared to March, 2021, when rounds jumped 45 percent due to players looking for a respite from COVID restrictions. The rainstorms in the Pacific Northwest and California were largely responsible for the decline this year compared to 2022.
The weather was also the main reason for a slight decline in rounds played this February compared to February 2022. This follows a fantastic January, when rounds played increased by 7.1 percent over January 2022.
In its latest report, the NGF states that golf is a season sport and it’s important to note that May through September are crucial months. If recent first-quarter increases show anything, then it is that the increase in participation in the U.S. as a seasonal sport has proven to be sticky. Players have not abandoned the game when other recreational and traveling opportunities have been reopened since major COVID restriction were lifted.
The American Golf Industry Coalition, which had previously conducted the previous two annual events virtually, is now presenting National Golf Day in person in Washington D.C. The group represents the golf industry in legislative and regulatory matters. The coalition includes prominent voices from USGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, LPGA, World Golf Foundation, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Golf Course Owners Association, and other leading golf associations.
The golf industry’s impact on the nation is a fascinating story. The American Golf Industry Coalition’s latest economic study highlights:
- In 2022, roughly one-seventh of Americans will be playing golf. This will result in a direct economic impact of $102 billion dollars. This is a 20 percent increase over the direct impact of $84 billion dollars in 2016.
- Golf’s economic impact in the U.S. is $226 billion. This has a large ripple effect with millions of golfers being influenced to travel, buy ancillary items, and build or purchase homes.
- The game created 1.65 million jobs, including over 1 million that are directly related to the industry.
- Four out of five courses will hold at least one golf event in 2022. This is an increase of 16 percent compared to 2016.
- Topgolf and other alternative forms of golf have helped make the game more accessible to a wider, more diverse audience. This has led to an increase in golfers to 41.1 millions (up from 32,000,000 in 2016). In 2022, 48% of golfers (on and off the course) will be between 6 and 34 years old, which is more than their share of US 6+ population (41%).
- In 2022, the number of women and people of color playing golf will reach new heights.
The economic impact report provides great details to highlight in D.C. on National Golf Day.
In a press release, Greg McLaughlin said, “We are thrilled to have so many leaders in Washington join us to advocate for the sport of golf.” Greg McLaughlin is the CEO of the World Golf Foundation. We are pleased to announce this new study, which reflects the importance of the game in the American economy.
