2026 Numbers to Know: What did you just overcome?

Published January 06, 2026

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What did you just overcome?

You’ve likely conquered some gigantic challenges if you’re reading this section.

From record play again nationally to volatile weather swings throughout multiple regions, superintendents enter 2026 hardened by what they encountered in 2025.

Our annual “Numbers to Know” report, presented in exclusive partnership with Nufarm since 2020, explores how the obstacles superintendents faced in 2025 affected their collective psyche and the performance of the industry.

Matt LaWell, Kelsie Horner and Ron Furlong crafted the anecdotes shared on the following pages. Golf Course Industry partnered with New Jersey-based Signet Research on the data by distributing a 33-question survey to print and/or digital subscribers working as superintendents, directors of agronomy, assistant superintendents, owners, general managers and management company executives. Results are based on 236 responses at a 95 percent confidence level.

An annual donation to the Wee One Foundation is made in thanks for survey participation.