The Number's Game

Rounds are down nearly 10 % from this time in 2007, according the National Golf Foundation. Let’s look at some other current numbers from the NGF:

• There are 31,548 golf courses in the world
• There are 119 courses where golf courses exist
• North America has 59 % of the total worldwide courses
• Europe has 19 % of courses worldwide
• Asia has 12 % of courses worldwide
• Other countries have 10 % of the total worldwide courses
• There are an average of 50 golf ranges that open in the U.S. each year
• There are an average of 50 golf ranges that close in the U.S. each year
• In 2007, 113 new courses opened
• In 2007, non-traditional courses (executive or par-3) accounted for 43 % of the total closures closures, but only 20 % of the total U.S. supply
• During peak hours at Chelsea Piers Golf Club in Manhattan (the most expensive range in the nation) it costs 28 cents per ball
• There were 600 million range balls hit in the U.S. in 2003
• Left-handed golfers make up 7.4 % of the golfing population
• More than 20 years ago, left-handed golfers made up 5.6 % of the population