Golf's Leaders About To Descend On D.C., This Time Lobbyists In Tow

Bill Pennington reports on National Golf Day this Wednesday where golf's suits travel to Washington to tell the suits there that golf actually generates a lot more economic and charitable revenue than most sports combined.

Facts about golf are surprisingly contrary to the persistent image of a sport at a pricey country club. For example, 70 percent of the golf rounds played in the United States take place at golf courses open to the public. Only 10 percent of 26 million golfers in the United States belong to private clubs. The average price of 18 holes on a weekend, with a golf cart, is about $40.

Golf is a $43 billion industry ($76 billion when tourism and real estate are included), and it employs nearly two million Americans. Golf also generates more than $3 billion in charitable contributions.

“Golf is good for 100 percent of the population, not just the 10 percent of the population that plays golf,” said Mike Hughes, chief executive of the National Golf Course Owners Association. “It’s more than a game. It’s a stable employer, it’s entertainment and it’s recreation. It’s our job in the golf industry to do a better job of telling the complete story of golf in America.