Rounds of golf played in September 2023 remained relatively stable compared to a year ago, with a 1.6% national gain driven primarily by year-over-year play increases out west (the Pacific and Mountain regions) as well as in the most golf-rich U.S. state, Florida.
Year-to-date, play continues to trend about 4% ahead of 2022 through September, keeping 2023 on track to be one of the top four years for rounds played in history. Public access courses — which typically account for more than 80% of annual rounds activity — have been the biggest contributor to this year’s gains, with play up 4.2% at daily fee and municipal courses compared to +1.9% at private clubs.
Florida rounds were up 14.5% YOY in September, a month that saw average temperatures finally dip a bit after consecutive months, July and August, that were the warmest on record in the state’s history.
On the West Coast, September play was up 9.3% in California, 6% in Oregon, and almost 15% in states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Utah.
NGF provides facility-level rounds data to Golf Datatech in helping compile the free, monthly play reports on behalf of the golf industry. Click here to see the full report.
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