Golf course closures are not a new phenomenon, the National Golf Foundation reports, although over the past few years the number of closures has increased to a level not seen for decades.
There have been 71 closures (in 18-hole equivalents) year-to-date through June 2009. (There were 106 for the full year 2008.) The leading reason for 2009 closures has been the economy followed by conversion to real estate. Closures continue to be disproportionately public, stand-alone 9-hole, short courses (executive and par-3) and value price point.
Closures far outpace openings in 2009 – so far only 16.5 courses (in 18-hole equivalents) have opened. As a result, the total net supply of golf facilities is continuing to decrease, from a high of 16,057 in 2004 to 15,931 (126 fewer).
