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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: January 2024 NAICS 71391

Revenue

$31.3bn

2024

$31.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

271k

Businesses

8,800

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry analysis

Over the past five years, golf courses and country clubs have faced large dips, but have ultimately grown their revenue thanks to a post-pandemic boost. The biggest long-term challenge with the growth for club and course operators is broadening golf's appeal to new players. Golf courses and clubs have struggled to attract younger players, with many finding clubs to be too conservative and the sport too difficult to learn. Golf can be a costly hobby for individuals, so course operators have benefited from a growth in per capita disposable income recently, along with a growing number of consumers earning more than $100,000. Overall, revenue rose at a CAGR of 1.8% to $31.3 billion, including a rise of 0.3% in 2023 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Participation in the game of golf has declined in recent years. This has had a negative impact on the industry.
  • Memberships and green fees are just one source of revenue. Courses and country clubs make a lot from other ventures, like food and beverage sales and equipment rental.
  • A successful course should be established in an area with land available for a good price. A temperate climate allows playing year-round.
  • There is competition between many small companies and a few large operators over the same populations. The existence of small companies prevents large ones from growing their operations.
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Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Industry Overview

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $31.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Golf courses and country clubs have taken action to maintain profit during the pandemic

  • During the initial outbreak of COVID-19, golf courses and country clubs operated at a very low capacity in the spring of 2020 to slow the spread of the virus.
  • 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

Golf participation expected to rise

  • Golf participation rates have been falling over most of the past decade. Some individuals find the etiquette, rules and dress codes off-putting, while others find that the game takes too long to play.

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

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
ClubCorp Inc.
1,719.3
22.4
1.3
Century Golf Partners Management
859.7
11.2
1.3
Billy Casper Golf LLC
465.5
6.1
1.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 14 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

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

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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

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry is primarily engaged in operating golf courses and country clubs that have dining and recreational facilities. These businesses typically 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?

Operating golf courses and country clubsProviding food and beverage servicesProviding golf equipment rental servicesProviding golf instruction services

Companies

ClubCorp Inc.Century Golf Partners ManagementBilly Casper Golf LLC

Purchase this report to view all 14 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

Participation in the game of golf has declined in recent years. This has had a negative impact on the industry.

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

Memberships and green fees are just one source of revenue. Courses and country clubs make a lot from other ventures, like food and beverage sales and equipment rental.

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

A successful course should be established in an area with land available for a good price. A temperate climate allows playing year-round.

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

There is competition between many small companies and a few large operators over the same populations. The existence of small companies prevents large ones from growing their...

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 players in this industry have labor forces varying drastically in size. Some players employ between 10,000 and 30,000 employees, while others employ far less, between 6...

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 Century Golf Partners Management'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 revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 11 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for ClubCorp Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Century Golf Partners Management, 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, key data and performance trends for 11 additional companies

External Environment

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

Analyst insights

Upcoming growth in demand is suggested by multiple external drivers. The growth in disposable income, rise in consumer confidence and the increasing number of households earn...

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

Larger companies benefit from economies of scale, reducing their costs significantly compared to smaller operators.

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)

Methodology

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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.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 $31.3bn in 2024.

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

There are 8,800 businesses in the Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.7 % 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 1.8 % 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., Century Golf Partners Management and Billy Casper Golf LLC

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

Operating golf courses and country clubs and Providing food and beverage services 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.