Charleston, S.C. (March 13, 2025) — The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course ownership and operations, today released its latest publication, the 2025 Golf Business Pulse Report. The report, which was developed and produced in partnership with Sports and Leisure Research Group (SLRG), examines critical issues that golf course owners and operators are facing today. The report’s data, analysis and insights on opinions, challenges and emerging trends are essential for business planning in the year ahead.
This year’s edition also incorporates perspectives drawn from in-depth interviews conducted with NGCOA members, and a comprehensive and empirical survey of hundreds of facility owners and operators. It uncovers trends and issues, and reveals significant shifts and developments specifically in the areas of Operations, Agronomy and Marketing.
“The study shows us that for golf facility owners, overall economic uncertainty has eclipsed labor issues as a top concern,” said Jon Last, President of Sports & Leisure Research Group. "There's an interesting economic oxymoron that shows consumer trepidation about the economy, but this has still not suppressed spending and behaviors for favored discretionary activities like golf."
The results show attitudes and perceptions on significant challenges, opportunities and issues, and determine the extent of their impact on golf facility performance optimization. The report also explores technology, labor issues, inflation, gamification, new player orientation and more, and reveals empirical, attitudinal and operational perspectives, and perceptual gaps and alignment across key constituent groups and varying golf facility segments.
“The 2025 Golf Business Pulse Report continues to deliver deep insights into every corner of golf operations, and I’m thrilled for our nation’s owners and operators to once again dive into these numbers, trends, attitudes and more,” said NGCOA’s Senior Director of Education Taylor Wall. “Thanks not only to Jon Last and his team at Sports & Leisure Research Group for another fabulous wave of thorough surveying and reporting, but to the hundreds of course owners who offered their feedback, opinions and more during the surveying process — helping to solidify this report as a staple of NGCOA research.”
NGCOA members can download the report at no cost, as a benefit of 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.
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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