The peak-season summer months are disproportionately important for the golf industry. It’s a make-or-break period for most Northern golf facilities. This year, on a national level, according to the National Golf Foundation, rounds played were up 3%, no small feat given that 2021 was a record summer.
As a broader point of comparison, this year’s summer rounds total paced 14% ahead of the most recent three-year, pre-pandemic average (2017-2019) for the same summer stretch, revealed National Golf Foundation research. Through the end of August, with the robust play over summer, rounds for the first eight months of 2021 are only down 2.6% over last year.
Hurricane Ian’s Impact on Golf:
Of the 15,000+ golf facilities (may have multiple courses) – although data is spotty – estimates reveal 400+ golf facilities suffered different degrees of damage. This represents about 2.5% of all golf courses in America.
Most courses suffered minor damage and were closed for a couple of days of cleanup. However, several will be a total loss and take years to rebuild. With golf supply chains still tight, I encourage you to order golf course maintenance inventory earlier than ever.
In the coming months, as insurance checks start to be cut in earnest, it is likely everything from golf irrigation equipment to golf carts (that were flooded) will be in demand – a demand that manufacturers have not planned in their production schedules.
As we enter the fourth quarter of the year, here are 2022 trends that continue to reshape golf:
Fun Historical Facts of Golf:
– Tiger Woods made his first hole-in-one at the age of eight.
– Phil Mickelson is naturally right-handed, but as a child, he mirrored his father’s swing and learned to swing as though he was left-handed.
– Jack Nicklaus was the first golfer who was able to successfully defend his Master’s title.