The National Golf Foundation’s latest nationwide poll of US golf facilities indicates that approximately 48% of courses are currently allowing play amid the coronavirus pandemic, with significant regional differences. The figure last week was 44%*.
The NGF’s special webpage is dedicated to continuing research on the effects of the coronavirus on golf and features the latest data and information on course operational status, government orders, consumer sentiment, and more.
NGF’s ongoing national tracking of golf facilities is more robust than ever, providing an overview of course openings and temporary closures through the most nationally representative sample in the industry.
“Numbers this high continue to blow some people away,” NGF President and CEO Joe Beditz said. “Let’s not forget that golf exists in abundance outside of city centers, and that many of those locales do not have government restrictions in place.”
Also new this week is an updated map detailing the significant regional differences in golf operations as well as open/closed breakouts for several states, including golf-rich locales like Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina. These surveys involve contacting every facility within those states in a single day to assess their operational status.
Other updates include Google search data trends that shows the impact on the golf club and ball markets, as well as NGF’s latest consumer sentiment findings:
- • Might golf-related purchases be treated as more “essential”?
- • How sensitive are golf consumers to the financial impacts of the coronavirus situation?
- • How do golfers feel about government restrictions on golf?
- • NGF’s ‘Golf Itch Meter’ – Is the pent-up demand to play increasing?
Complete findings, including maps and data visualizations, HERE NGF researchers will continue to conduct weekly polls of golf courses and golfers in the weeks ahead.
The National Golf Foundation is a community of individuals and golf businesses committed to being the most well-informed advocates for the growth of the industry. With the world’s largest research team dedicated to golf, NGF provides members with the most accurate and objective insights on the game
*Based on phone surveys of 1,753 golf facilities, conducted April 7 – April 10, accurate to +/- 2%
