Consider these facts related to the economic, environmental and human impacts of the golf course industry and the game of golf. GCSAA President Mark Kuhns, CGCS, recently shared the following messages with the association’s members.
Economic
The golf economy in the U.S. was $76 billion in 2005, up from $62 billion in 2000. The total economic impact of golf in America in 2005, including direct, indirect and induced impacts, was $195 billion.
The golf industry is larger than the newspaper industry; larger than performing arts and spectator sports; and larger than the motion picture and video business.
The golf industry is responsible for 2 million jobs in the U.S., and total wage income of $61 billion.
Golf 20/20 provides economic impact details for 16 states; four more are due out this year.
Environmental
Golf courses provide valuable green space, offering wildlife habitat, turfgrass that prevents erosion and provides natural filtration of runoff, and oxygen producing plants and vegetation.
Golf course irrigation accounts for 0.5 percent of the water used daily in the U.S. Fewer than 15 percent of golf courses utilize municipal water supplies.
Human
Considering the thousands of fundraising events held annually at golf facilities across the nation, golf is responsible for raising approximately $3.5 billion for charitable causes each year.
Golf’s values – sportsmanship, respect, integrity, self-control – are transmitted to youngsters through thousands of junior programs across the country.
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