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Golf FAQ's

How many golfers are there in the U.S.?
 
• There are an estimated 12.8 million adult Core golfers in the U.S. (as of 2004). Adult Core golfers are ages 18 and above, play at least eight times per year (average 37 times) and are responsible for 91% of rounds played and 87% of golf-related spending.
• Of adult Core golfers, about 10.2 million are male and 2.5 million are female.
• There are an additional 14.6 million adult Occasional golfers, those ages 18 and above who play between one and seven times a year. The impact of Occasional golfers on the industry is minimal; nevertheless, they represent an opportunity for “upgrading” to Core golfers.
• There are also 2.9 million junior golfers ages 12-17, of whom 1.0 million play eight or more rounds per year.
• Click here to view golfer tables from 1990 to present.
• For more information about golf participation, contact NGF for the 2nd quarter 2005 Golf Industry Report.

How many golf courses are there in the U.S.?
 
• As of December 31, 2004, there were 16,057 facilities, 11,690 of which were open to the public. A facility is a complex containing at least one golf course.
• The states with the most golf facilities are as follows:
1. Florida (1,073)
2. California (925)
3. Texas (857)
4. Michigan (852)
5. New York (822)
• Another way to look at golf supply is in 18-hole equivalents (the number of holes divided by 18). As of year-end 2004, there were 14,988 18-hole equivalents (or 269,784 golf holes).
• In 2004, a total of 150.5 new 18-hole equivalents came online across the U.S., of which 68 percent were open to the public.
• At the end of 2004, there were 990.5 18-hole equivalents in the construction pipeline, including 320 under construction, 409.5 in planning and 261 proposed.
• About 60 percent of golf holes currently under construction will be part of a residential community, but only 22 percent of existing courses are part of a golf community.
• Click here to view golf course tables from 1990 to present.
• For more information about golf course development and supply, contact NGF for the 1st quarter 2005 Golf Industry Report. 
 
How much do golfers spend?
 
• Golfers spent $24.3 billion in 2002 on equipment and fees.
• They spent $19.7 billion on public and private green fees and dues in 2002, which accounted for 81 percent of all spending. They spent $4.7 billion on equipment (clubs, balls, bags, gloves, shoes).
• Avid golfers (25+ rounds annually) make up the smallest player segment (23 percent), but accounted for 63 percent of all golf-related spending in 2002.
 
 
What is the average golfer's score?
 
• The average score on an 18-hole regulation golf course was 97 in 2004. Average score was 95 for men and 106 for women.
• The percentage of adult golfers by score category are: Score under 80 (8% of golfers); 80-89 (20%); 90-99 (31%); 100-119 (30%); and 120 and above (11%).
• Average score is a statistic that is very unlikely to change over time, because the pool of golfers is constantly being refreshed by newer, less skilled ones. Also, average score increases as golfers age, which tends to balance out better scores by younger players.
 
 
What percentage of today's golfers maintain a handicap?
 
• Twenty-one percent of all golfers maintain a handicap. The average handicap (among those who maintain one) is 15 for men, 23 for women, and 16 overall.
 
 
What is the median green fee at a public golf course?
 
• The median green fee at public golf courses in the U.S. is $34, meaning half are below $34 and half are above. (Public courses include daily fee and municipal.) (Based on peak season full rate weekend green fees with cart. Carts may not be required at all courses. Full rates are rarely charged.)
• States with the highest median green fees: Hawaii ($100); Nevada ($89); New Jersey ($55).
• States with the lowest median green fees: North Dakota ($20); Kansas ($24); Nebraska ($25).
 
 
What are the most popular travel destinations for golfers?
 
• Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, California and Arizona are the most popular travel destinations for golfers.
• Golfers spend about $26.1 billion a year on golf travel, 75 percent of which goes to the hotel, transportation and food and beverage industries.
 
 
How many minority golfers are there in the U.S.?
 
According to a study conducted by NGF in 2003, there are:
• 1.3 million African-American golfers ages 18+
• 1.1 million Asian-American golfers age 18+
• 965,000 Hispanic-American golfers age 18+
(Note: Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.)
 
 
Where can I find the phone number for a particular golf company?
 
• NGF's Directory of Golf contains listings of a wide variety of companies and executives in the golf industry. Included in these listings is the location and contact information (if available).
 
 
Where can I get state-by-state listings of golf facilities, retail stores, and/or other golf-related companies?
 
• NGF's Database Marketing Tools provide the means to purchase mail labels, printed lists and/or computer files from an extensive database in several categories. These lists can all be customized to fit the individual's needs.