Economic Impact
Since its emergence as a major spectator sport in the 1920s, the game of golf has provided lifelong recreational opportunities and enjoyment for millions. Beyond its sport and recreational value, golf is a major industry that generates jobs, commerce, economic development and tax revenues for communities throughout the country.
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$176.8 billion
The total economic impact of golf in America in 2011, including direct, indirect and induced impacts.
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$68.8 billion
Total size of the golf economy nationally in 2011, up from $62 billion in 2000.
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$55.6 billion
Total wage income nationally. The golf industry is responsible for 2 million jobs in the U.S.
Golf 20/20 Reports on the industry
In 2005, along with research partner SRI International, GOLF 20/20 developed a template with which individual states can affordably quantify golf’s impact on their economy. To date more than 25 states have completed at state economic study, and the resulting reports have been successful in establishing golf as a critical cog in the state’s economic engine.
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Golf-related media, including books, magazines, video games and DVDs, totaled $523 million for the publishing industry industry in 2011.
- Golfers bought $5.6 billion in golf supplies in 2011.
- The golf industry produced $20.6 billion in travel expenditures in 2011.
By the Numbers
