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 Of Multiple Courses

With so many golf courses across the nation struggling to survive, some opportunistic investors are finding success in acquiring and operating multiple courses in one geographical area as a way to pool resources, reduce maintenance costs, and market attractive combined playing options.

Oct 9, 2026 - Twelve-Hole Golf Courses Gain Ground as Shorter-Play Option

• 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.
• 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.
• US golf rounds played declined just over 5% year over year in August 2026, following a 3.6% drop in July, according to the National Golf Foundation's latest report. Despite two consecutive decreases during peak golf season, rounds through August remained 1% ahead of 2025's record pace. Weather contributed to the monthly slowdown: play fell 9% in the East North Central region and 7% in the Mid Atlantic amid unusually heavy rainfall. Seven of eight regions reported year-over-year declines in August. For US golf courses and country clubs, weaker rounds can constrain daily-fee, cart, food and beverage revenue, particularly during important summer months. However, year-to-date growth indicates demand remained comparatively resilient, leaving weather and fall play important factors in full-year results.
• Falling consumer confidence could soften demand for US golf courses and country clubs as households become more selective about discretionary spending on rounds, memberships, dining, and other club services. The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 7.5% in September to 47.8 and was 13.2% below a year earlier. Its Current Economic Conditions Index declined 1.9% to 50.9, while the Consumer Expectations Index dropped 11.1% to 45.8, signaling greater caution about future finances. Separately, The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index edged down in August to 89.4 from 90.2. Its Present Situation Index improved to 121.2, but the Expectations Index fell to 68.2. For operators, weaker confidence could pressure discretionary rounds and ancillary spending, while memberships may provide a steadier revenue base.

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 12% of courses closed between 2006 and 2023.