Golf Courses & Country Clubs NAICS 713910

May 18, 2026 - Golf League Boom Continues

• According to the National Golf Foundation, US golf league participation has surged 68% since 2019, creating new revenue and engagement opportunities for golf courses and country clubs. The rapid growth in leagues is helping facilities manage increased demand and tee-time congestion while encouraging more consistent, routine play through organized “appointment golf” formats, often centered around evening 9-hole rounds. League participants play more than twice as many annual rounds as non-participants and typically generate higher overall spending, making them especially valuable customers for operators. The trend is also expanding the industry’s customer base, with more women, younger golfers, diverse golfers, and casual players joining leagues in recent years. For golf courses and country clubs operating near capacity, strategically structured league programs can improve retention, increase utilization during key time blocks, and strengthen recurring revenue in an increasingly competitive market.
• According to the BLS's Consumer Price Index, the cost of club membership for shopping clubs, fraternal, or other organizations, or participant sports fees fell 1.5% in March 2026, compared to a year ago, and dropped 0.3% compared to the previous month. Labor costs were up in February 2026, with average wages for nonsupervisory employees at golf courses and country clubs up 4.7% compared to a year ago, reaching $23.27 per hour, according to the BLS. Employment by golf courses and country clubs was up 1.9% in February 2026 compared to a year ago. In the past decade, employment by golf courses and country clubs has risen 26.9%, faster than the 11.5% rate for overall private employment. Producer inflation for golf courses and country clubs increased 3.5% in March 2026 compared to a year ago, per the BLS.

• Rising green fees in the US golf course industry largely reflect broader economic trends rather than excessive price inflation, according to an NGF report. From 2019 to 2025, peak public-course fees increased about 29%, closely tracking 27% inflation, indicating pricing has remained aligned with cost-of-living pressures. Growth in rounds played has supported pricing power, enabling reinvestment in facilities. However, increases are uneven: resort fees rose 36%, with over half exceeding $100, driven by strong golf travel demand. In contrast, core local play remains mostly accessible, with average municipal and daily-fee rounds at $41, up 27%. For operators, this suggests a bifurcated market with premium destinations capturing experiential spending, while value-oriented courses sustain participation and volume growth.
• A renewed wave of golf course development is reshaping opportunities for US golf courses and country clubs, according to a report in Golf Inc. According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) data cited in the report, more than 140 new projects are underway globally, with activity in 35 US states, marking the strongest development cycle since 2010. Growth is concentrated in Florida, South Carolina, and Texas, which account for roughly 35% of U.S. projects, driven by population gains, favorable climates, and easier permitting. For operators, rising demand is reflected in increased investment, with over $3.5 billion annually spent on course improvements. Development is also shifting toward high-end private clubs and resorts, which make up about 60% of projects, and shorter formats, with 42% of openings from 2021–2025 being short courses. These trends suggest expanding capacity, evolving formats, and increased competition for golf facilities.