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As the virus really peaked earlier this year forcing the sports world to shut down, golf was considered to be the sport that should have taken the least impact. It’s outdoors, people can easily distance themselves socially, you’re not sharing equipment, etc.
Golf courses in many states have been closed for months and the PGA Tour has cut its season even for three months, but when it comes to the everyday amateur golfer who had access to a golf course, it seemed like there was the best time to either grab a bat for the first time or get out safely and play even more than usual.
It turns out that many people in the US have done just that and played A lot or golf.
According to National Golf Foundation, golf rounds rose 20% nationwide in July, surpassing June’s 14% gain from last year. On April 30, the golfing world was facing a 16% year-to-date deficit, but given the extremely strong numbers in June and July, the overall numbers are up 3% from 2019. As for what these percentages actually mean. equivalent, NGF explains that the 20% increase in July reflects about 10 million more rounds played this July than last July.
To put the July jump in perspective, just three times in the past 151 months has the industry seen an increase in monthly rounds of 20% or more, according to reports from Golf Datatech.
The increase in the number makes sense. More people work from home and may find themselves with more free time and golf is one of the few activities that everyone can participate in.
Children across the country have had to adapt to other sports as well by hiring new rules or shutting down completely and with limited activities golf seems to have attracted a huge number of children this year.
More and more young people are getting involved which is great for the game. According to data from NGF in mid-2020, evidence has shown that there may be a 20% increase in play among golfers aged 6-17.
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