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Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Michal Dalal Michal Dalal New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 71391

Revenue

$33.8bn

2024

$33.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

307k

Businesses

8,828

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry analysis

Golf courses and country clubs have experienced a notable evolution in recent years, driven by strategic shifts to diversify revenue streams and heightened interest in the sport. Notably, facilities have increasingly hosted events such as weddings and corporate gatherings, bolstering non-dues revenue. Membership options have become more flexible, aimed at reducing attrition rates, while some clubs have opted to raise dues above inflation to cover operational costs. As the overall golfing experience improves, participation has surged, driven by vibrant communities on social media and mobile sports betting, which attract a younger, tech-savvy audience. Revenue rose at a CAGR of 3.2% to $33.9 billion, including a dip of 0.1% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Golf's popularity is improving, especially among juniors. By focusing marketing efforts on wider demographics, golf courses and country clubs are relaxing their restrictive reputations.
  • Retirees are hitting the greens in droves. With more leisure time, those aged 50 and over, particularly retirees, are embracing golf, fueling a growing market as the population ages.
  • Golf courses and country clubs thrive in the Southeast region thanks to its favourable climate. Warm weather year-round means fewer days affected by harsh conditions, attracting a high population of golf enthusiasts.
  • Many golf courses are run by independent or public companies. Unlike larger companies with vast portfolios, these smaller establishments often run just one course and may struggle financially because of limited economies of scale.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $33.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Golf clubs and country clubs diversify offerings to sustain profit

  • To boost profitability, country clubs are diversifying their income streams. Country clubs like The Club at Admirals Cove in Florida have increasingly supplemented their earnings by hosting weddings, corporate events and other large gatherings. This shift demonstrates a strategic move towards enhancing non-dues revenue.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Consumer trends and financial health will boost golf participation

  • Golf participation rates have fluctuated over the past decade thanks to perceptions of the sport's etiquette, rules and dress codes as restrictive. But as the image of golf is changing, becoming more appealing to younger, diverse demographics, participation will climb.

Biggest companies in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
ClubCorp Inc.
1,468.9
98.1
6.7
Billy Casper Golf LLC
465.5
6.1
1.3
Winged Foot Golf Club
22.6
0.3
1.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Memberships, Green fees and Food and beverages. Memberships is the largest segment of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US.

Trends and Insights

Country club memberships are on the rise

  • Country club memberships typically entitle a member to either unlimited golf games throughout the year or a set amount, often in addition to access to the associated country club facilities and events.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Golf courses and country clubs are recreational and dining facilities. These businesses provide food and beverage services, equipment rental services and golf instruction. Golf courses can be public, private, semiprivate or an extension of a private country club. This industry excludes golf driving ranges, miniature golf courses and resorts and hotels that have on-site golf courses.

What's included in this industry?

Collecting membership feesCollecting green feesFood and beverage salesGolf equipment rental servicesOther sales and services

Companies

ClubCorp Inc.Billy Casper Golf LLCWinged Foot Golf Club

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

OCCASIONAL GOLFERREGULAR GOLFERGREEN FEE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 71391 - Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Golf's popularity is improving, especially among juniors. By focusing marketing efforts on wider demographics, golf courses and country clubs are relaxing their restrictive r...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Retirees are hitting the greens in droves. With more leisure time, those aged 50 and over, particularly retirees, are embracing golf, fueling a growing market as the populati...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Golf courses and country clubs thrive in the Southeast region thanks to its favourable climate. Warm weather year-round means fewer days affected by harsh conditions, attract...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Many golf courses are run by independent or public companies. Unlike larger companies with vast portfolios, these smaller establishments often run just one course and may str...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Major companies in this have labor forces varying drastically in size. Some players employ between 10,000 and 30,000 employees, while others employ far less, between 60 and 2...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of ClubCorp Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Billy Casper Golf LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Winged Foot Golf Club's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for ClubCorp Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Billy Casper Golf LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Winged Foot Golf Club, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Golf courses and country clubs follow strict EPA guidelines to protect the environment. They’re required to use monitored chemicals and spill-prevention technology in storage...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Depreciation and maintenance are major capital concerns for golf courses. With hefty expenses on irrigation systems, machinery and equipment, maintaining those lush landscape...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States is $33.8bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in 2024?

There are 8,828 businesses in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs market in United States are ClubCorp Inc., Billy Casper Golf LLC and Winged Foot Golf Club

What does the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US in United States include?

Collecting membership fees and Collecting green fees are part of the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is ClubCorp Inc..

How competitive is the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Amusement Parks in the US
  • Ski & Snowboard Resorts in the US
  • Golf Driving Ranges & Family Fun Centers in the US
  • Hotels & Motels in the US

Complementors

  • Casino Hotels in the US
  • Bed & Breakfast & Hostel Accommodations in the US

International industries

  • Golf Courses & Country Clubs in Canada
  • Sports and Recreation Facilities Operation in Australia
  • Sports and Recreation Facilities Operation in New Zealand
  • Sports Facilities in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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