Final 2020 Numbers: Rounds Up 13.9%, Equipment Sales Up 10.1%

A few things are especially astounding regarding the pandemic’s role in spiking 2020 rounds played: the number of days courses were closed as safety restrictions were put in place along the policies restricting guest play at so many clubs.

And, all of this happened without a single significant distance-gaining technology breakthrough we’ve been told must be preserved by the rulemakers to grow the game.

For Immediate Release:

Golf Datatech Releases 2020 U.S. Golf Retail Performance Report and Annual Rounds Played Data; Exclusive Insights Indicate Record Breaking Year—Golf Rounds Up 13.9%, Equipment Sales Jump 10.1%  

Rounds Growth is Largest Full Year Increase in the History of Golf Datatech’s Data; Golf Equipment Sales Eclipsed $2.81 Billion at Green Grass Golf Shops & Off Course Specialty Stores; Apparel Sales Drop 14.2% 

Kissimmee, Fla., January 25, 2021 – Golf Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer and trade trends, today unveiled the 2020 National Golf Performance Report, a first-of-its kind annual report analyzing rounds played and retail equipment sales in the U.S. Golf Datatech’s report indicates rounds soared by 13.9% and equipment sales increased by 10.1% over 2019. The year-over-year surge in rounds and retail sales are primarily a result of golf being positioned as a near ideal socially distanced activity during a pandemic. The 13.9% increase in rounds is the largest total year increase since Golf Datatech began collecting and projecting rounds played in 1998, topping the previous largest increase of 5.7% in 2012. The 10.1% improvement in retail sales bettered the previous all time high percentage gain of 10.0% in 2005.  

Fueled by a combination of avid players, newcomers and infrequent golfers, 2020 demand for all things golf surged during the second half of the year. In fact, 2020 spending reached near record levels, as overall golf equipment sales eclipsed $2.81 billion, the third highest annual total of all-time, trailing behind only 2008 ($2.91 billion) and 2007 ($2.87 billion).

“While the global pandemic wreaked havoc on many segments of our economy, the golf industry experienced a significant boost in rounds played and equipment sales,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech. “On the equipment side, sales increased by low single digits in both 2018 and 2019, but the double-digit gains in 2020 can only be attributed to the pandemic and golf being a respite for so many.”

While rounds played and equipment sales experienced sharp increases in 2020, apparel sales went the other direction and dropped by 14.2%. Golf apparel is predominantly sold thru on-course golf shops, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, many pro shops were not fully operational for several months. Additionally, a lack of international travel and lockdowns during the critical spring season in warm weather markets had a detrimental impact on many resorts, which sell a significant amount of logoed golf apparel. Added together, these factors all weighed heavily on the Green Grass Golf Apparel business.

While on-course sales declined, apparel sales at off-course specialty outlets, particularly those with a strong online presence, enjoyed significant growth in 2020. Moreover, the last two months of the year saw total apparel sales up 11%, a hopeful sign heading into 2021.  

Added Krzynowek, “Combining equipment and apparel sales thru the on and off-course channels, total consumer demand in dollars for golf product was 3.2% higher than in 2019. Given the state of the golf economy in late spring, anything in positive territory had to be considered a big win, and December data continues to impress and suggest the business may still have room to run in early 2021.”