Rounds were down 15.1 percent on a same-store basis in April 2007 vs. April 2006, primarily due to poor weather. The year-to-date figure of -9.0 percent is the worst performance for the same time period in the past three years. However, because only about 22 percent of total annual rounds volume in the U.S. is played in the January to April time frame, there is still a lot of time to make up the deficit, if there is better summer weather. In fact, if rounds were flat for the remainder of 2007 vs. 2006, rounds would finish down only 1.9 percent for the year.
Where rounds were down significantly in April 2006, operators in the Northeast experienced six fewer play days on average than in April 2005 (a 24 percent decrease). Both the Lower and Upper Midwest had four fewer play days in April. Still, three regions are in positive territory year-to-date: Mountain, Southwest and Northwest.
Rounds Played, 2007 vs. 2006
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations
Figures for April, followed by year-to-date
Total U.S. facilities -15.1%, -9.0%
Private Clubs -15.4%, -9.2%
Total Public Courses -15.0%, -8.9%
Premium
-7.5%, -3.2%
Standard
-15.6%, -8.9%
Value
-15.9%, -10.1%
- Northeast
-38.4% , -36.6% - Mid-Atlantic
-17.5%, -17.7% - Southeast
-5.2%, -2.8% - Central/South Florida
-0.9%, -1.0% - Gulf Coast
-5.8%, -6.3% - South Central
-14.8% , -14.4% - Lower Midwest
-24.2%, -21.5% - Upper Midwest
-23.5%, -17.7% - Mountain
-2.8%, 2.1% - Southwest
5.2%, 5.1% - Northwest
2.1%, 4.7%
