Golf Courses & Country Clubs

The 10,100 golf courses and country clubs in the US can be broadly classified as public, private, or semi-private facilities. Golf courses typically offer only golf, and related golf services or products, while country clubs usually offer more extensive recreational activities, such as swimming and tennis. Country clubs also tend to be more private facilities, and usually offer more social services, such as a full service restaurant, formal dining room, and banquet/meeting facilities.

Environmental And Government Regulation

Golf courses and country clubs are heavily dependent on fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers to control insects, turf diseases, and to keep the various grasses green and in tip-top playing condition.

Ownership and Management of Multiple Courses

Multi-course ownership and management are becoming more prevalent in the US golf industry as operators seek economies of scale, operational efficiencies, and additional revenue opportunities.

Nov 9, 2026 - Golf Facilities Report Stronger Financial Health

• Nearly three-quarters of surveyed US public golf facilities rated their financial condition as good or excellent, according to September 2026 research from the National Golf Foundation (NGF). In comparison, approximately one-quarter of public facilities reported poor financial health during earlier surveys in 2009 and 2016. Nearly 60% of operators reporting improvement cited stronger demand for rounds and memberships as the leading factor. Higher utilization and improved pricing power can support facility investments, although operators continue to face rising maintenance expenses and the challenge of sustaining participation growth.
• Continued demand for golf is supporting US golf courses and country clubs despite unfavorable weather in several major markets, according to a November 2026 report by the National Golf Foundation (NGF). NGF reported that rounds played declined slightly more than 6% year over year in September, reflecting heavy rainfall and record heat across several regions. However, rounds through the first nine months of 2026 remained 0.1% above the same period in 2025, when play reached a record level. Strong participation supports greens fees, cart rentals, memberships, and related services, although weather conditions can create substantial monthly and regional fluctuations in revenue.
• Private clubs are facing greater pressure to manage labor costs, amenities, and capital spending while demonstrating membership value, according to an analysis from Club Management Association of America (CMAA). CMAA members include managers of more than 2,600 clubs, including country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. Drawing on a finance and operations survey of more than 1,200 clubs covering July 2024 through June 2025, CMAA noted that larger clubs often operate sports and recreation programs at a deficit to provide member amenities rather than generate direct profits. Its analysis also highlighted growing complexity from dining, fitness, wellness, racquet sports, and events. For US country clubs, expanded offerings can attract and retain members but may increase staffing and maintenance expenses. Careful assessment of amenity use, dues revenue, reserves and capital priorities can help clubs avoid unsustainable costs or unexpected member assessments.
• A small but growing number of US golf course developers are adopting 12-hole layouts to offer shorter rounds and broaden access to the game, according to a recent National Golf Foundation report. The US has roughly 30 12-hole courses among approximately 16,000 golf courses, with more than half opening during the past decade. About a dozen additional 12-hole courses are planned. Examples include the recently opened Commons course at Wisconsin's Sand Valley resort and a planned course at Old Shores in Florida. For golf facilities, shorter layouts may appeal to players with limited time and offer alternatives to traditional 18-hole rounds. However, 12-hole courses remain a niche format, and their profitability will depend on local demand, pricing and development costs.

Industry size & Structure

An average golf course generates annual revenue of about $4 million and employs about 40 workers.

• Around 10,100 courses generate revenue of $36.4 billion and employ 353,200 people.
• The golf courses and country clubs industry is highly fragmented with the 50 largest firms representing just 19.4% of revenue.
• About 13% of courses closed between 2006 and 2025.