Through the first two months of the golf season, rounds were up 1.8 percent compared to 2022, ranking as one of the top four years for play.
In February, weather can play a role in the YOY swings, particularly in the northern states in the U.S., which was evident in the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), where February 2023 play was up almost 114 percent with the average temperature during the month was nearly 5 degrees higher than February 2022 and precipitation levels were down 48 percent.
In the East North Central region, some golf courses in Illinois and Ohio could play more golf rounds than in February 2022; however, wintry conditions kept golfers from playing in the golf-rich states of Michigan and Wisconsin, where it was down 34 percent YOY in the region.
In the Pacific Region, February rounds played were down 20 percent compared to the same time in 2022. The most significant declines were in California, down -21.4 percent, as winter storms brought frigid temperatures, blizzard conditions and flooding in some areas.
January and February typically account for only about 10 percent of annual golf rounds played.
Photo courtesy Golf Digest
