Provides Owners and Operators of Golf Facilities with Overviews, Trends and Insights for Optimizing Operations
Charleston, S.C. — The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course ownership and operations, today released the 2026 Golf Business Pulse Report.
This year’s report, again developed and produced in partnership with Sports and Leisure Research Group (SLRG), represents the fourth year of this proprietary insights program. The report incorporates perspectives drawn from in-depth interviews conducted with NGCOA members and a comprehensive and empirical survey of over 200 facility owners and operators on emerging trends and critical issues.
“Robust consumer demand and spending for golf continues to drive strong business results for U.S. golf facilities,” said Jon Last, president of Sports and Leisure Research Group. “While golf benefits from our K-shaped economy, facility success remains hyper-local. Technology infused innovation is driving operating efficiencies, but the impact is not universal, and our research is showing some stresses at the bottom of the market.”
The 2026 report also incorporates regular golfer tracking data and contextual leisure market insights from SLRG’s extensive work across the broader market, to continue to provide trending analysis, revealing significant shifts and developments in the areas of operations, agronomy and marketing. Some high-level takeaways from the research include:
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Owners attitudes are increasingly worrisome that playing the game is getting too pricey for the average golfer.
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Operators realize that upgraded practice areas and screen golf boost revenue, with recognition that the market is getting crowded.
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Operators are finding new challenges with managing payroll costs and determining where technology fits in.
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Owners are pouring their profits back into upgrading their courses, while massive outside investors are acquiring high-end properties.
“One of NGCOA’s core responsibilities is helping golf course owners make informed business decisions and the Golf Business Pulse Report is one of the most valuable resources we publish each year,” said Taylor Wall, Senior Director of Education for NGCOA. “The report combines comprehensive survey data with expert analysis, and gives operators a clearer understanding of the trends influencing golf today and the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re again very grateful to Jon Last and the team at Sports and Leisure Research Group for their expertise and partnership, as well as the hundreds of golf course owners and operators who generously shared their time and insights through this year’s survey to make this report possible.”
Collectively, the NGCOA’s Golf Business Pulse Report is designed to inform the industry with a timely and current look at those challenges, opportunities and issues impacting the golf business, with an emphasis on their implications for golf facility performance optimization in the seasons ahead. NGCOA members can download the report at no cost, as a benefit of their NGCOA membership. Non-member golf course owners and operators can purchase the report for $299. Visit https://www.ngcoa.org/info-centers/research/pulse-report for details and access.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information or to join, visit ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.
Media Contact: Renée Flowers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA, rflowers@ngcoa.org
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