Golf Courses & Country Clubs NAICS 713910

Jun 19, 2026 - Golf Broadens Its Reach

• Golf participation among Asian, Black, and Hispanic golfers has reached a record high, with 7.7 million golfers in this category playing on US courses in 2025, up nearly 40% since 2010 and representing a record 26% of all traditional golfers, according to the National Golf Foundation. The growth is outpacing the increase in the overall non-white US population during the same period and is helping drive the sport's continued expansion. For golf course operators, the trend expands opportunities to attract new customers and support long-term rounds growth. The increasing popularity of off-course golf venues and simulators, which attract a more diverse participant base, is also helping introduce new players to the sport and funnel them toward traditional courses. As the golfer population becomes more diverse, courses may benefit from investing in inclusive marketing, programming, and community outreach to capture demand from emerging customer segments.
• 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 1.1% in May 2026, compared to a year ago, and was flat compared to the previous month. Labor costs were up in April 2026, with average wages for nonsupervisory employees at golf courses and country clubs up 4.1% compared to a year ago, reaching $22.65 per hour, according to the BLS. Employment by golf courses and country clubs was flat in April 2026 compared to a year ago. In the past decade, employment by golf courses and country clubs has risen 19.9%, faster than the 11.3% rate for overall private employment. Producer inflation for golf courses and country clubs increased 5.9% in May 2026 compared to a year ago, per the BLS.

• 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.
• 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.