National Golf Foundation report: rounds hold steady
First the good news in these trying economic times. Rounds of golf played in 2008 have remained virtually unchanged, according to a recent report by the National Golf Foundation.
However, an NGF survey finds that nearly half of core golfers say they have cut back spending because of the recession.
The report offers some encouraging news for golf course operators. While spending is down, golf course operators can expect that their customer base will remain loyal, even in tough economic times. Golfers polled indicated that concerns over employment security were the most telling indicator in their golf spending.
The NGF reports that 38 percent of golf course operators polled expect that their revenues will be up in 2008 over 2007; 35 percent expect revenues to be down; and 27 percent expect revenue levels to remain the same.