45.5 Million Play Video Game Golf But Not Real Golf

Steve Tanner analyzes the NGF's recent data revealing that 56 million Americans play golf...via video games.

And 45.5 million of them are non-golfers.

First, I’m surprised that 39% of actual golfers (26.1mm) are also golf gamers (10.2mm).  Given the perception of the golf industry, I find that data interesting in a good way.

More importantly, the fact that 39mm people who have "never played golf" are hitting the links on their big screen shows that a lot of people are interested in playing the game.  Unfortunately it's just not in the way that we as an industry want or need.  Concepts like the Chicken Stick and games like Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf are moving the needle by making the experience remarkably real-life in the comfort and convenience of one's family room.