Jupiter, Fla. – Same-store rounds played in the U.S. were up 29.8% in the month of January 2006 vs. January 2005. January data was reported by 1,953 golf facility operators across the country. "Increases in the southern regions were material," says NGF president Joe Beditz, "because facilities in those areas are doing their highest volume now. The January increase bodes well, but the year-to-date 30% number will come down dramatically as the year progresses."
Wide swings in the frost belt were due to (a) low volume – for example, a facility in the Upper Midwest had 115 rounds in January 2005 and 801 rounds in January 2006, an increase of 597%; (b) increase in play days – for example, the Northeast had an average of 4.9 play days last January and 8.0 play days this January; the Lower Midwest had 4.5 play days last year and 11.2 this year.
In the Southwest, the large positive swing was more of a correction to normal weather – the region was down 19% from January 2004 to January 2005 due to fewer play days brought on by heavy rains.
Rounds Played, January 2006 vs. January 2005
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations
Total U.S. facilities
29.8%
Private Clubs
17.6%
Total Public Courses
33.7%
Public Courses:
Premium
14.5%
Standard
25.0%
Value
42.0%
Northeast
122.7%
Mid-Atlantic
90.1%
Southeast
17.6%
Central/South Florida
5.3%
Gulf Coast
14.7%
South Central
37.6%
Lower Midwest
517.4%
Upper Midwest
443.5%
Mountain
15.1%
Southwest
14.1%
Northwest
-16.7%
Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart:
Premium (High) – Above $70
Standard (Middle) – $40-$70
Value (Low) – Below $40
Because rounds are weighted by volume, large increases or decreases (for example, in the Midwest) don’t have a big impact on the national number of 29.8%. Put another way, the national figure is not a simple average of the other percentages, but rather a weighted average by volume.
About the NGF
The National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is the industry leader in providing accurate information and insights on the business of golf. Based in Jupiter, Fla., the NGF serves many constituencies in the golf industry including equipment manufacturers; builders and developers; facilities and ranges; course architects; retailers; turf maintenance suppliers; golf associations and the media. For more information, visit www.ngf.org.
Contact:
Jim Kass
jkass@ngf.org
561-744-6006
