Topgolf has helped bring people to golf. Their fun, socially focused and lessintimidating atmosphere helps girls get comfortable and gain confidence. Female participation in off-course forms of the game account for just under 50% of all participants. Greater visibility and support of industry initiatives that make golf more welcoming and inclusive has been vital too. The LPGA Tour unveiled a new line of affordable equipment at Walmart to increase access for female beginners and juniors. And June, which is Women’s Golf Month, kicked off with a Women’s Golf Day global celebration of introduction, promotion, and engagement. Future growth, however, is dependent on this recent rise among female golfers being sustainable. The golf experience needs to continue to evolve and appeal to the younger generation There are more than 37,600 golf courses worldwide. Course closures are on pace with last year, which ended up with the fewest since 2005 – prior to the Great Recession. New golf course development is slowly ticking upward. It’s intuitive that as golf enjoys increased participation and engagement, fewer owners and operators are motivated to sell or shutter courses. At the same time, a small number of operators, owners and developers who have been sitting on the sidelines have clearly decided the time is right for a new golf project. The Bottom Line Golf is stronger than it has ever been. Participation among women and juniors continues to grow. More courses are being built to meet ongoing demand. Golf equipment manufacturers are seeing increases in sales and profits. It’s good to be in the golf business right now. For more statistics and information visit: https://www. ngf.org/. while not taking away from traditionalists. There is Still an Adequate Supply of Golf Courses The United States has, by far, the largest number of golf courses. From Alaska to Florida this country has more courses than the next top 10 nations combined. The game of golf also has remarkable international geographic spread, with at least one course in 83% of countries and territories recognized by the International Standard Organization. In total 207 of 249 countries have at least one golf course. That number will increase to 208 later this year with the opening of a new course in Iraq designed by Cynthia Dye, daughter of Pete and Alice. Ohio Golf Journal
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