Same-store rounds played in the U.S. were down 8.1% in the month for December from the same month's total last year. As a result, rounds finished the year down 0.1%. Private clubs were down 1% for the year while public courses broke into positive territory. December data was reported by 1,573 golf facility operators across the country. (Same-store rounds means, for example, that only facilities reporting rounds for both December 2005 and December 2004 are included in results.)

Rounds Played, 2005 vs. 2004
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations

 

  December    Year-To-Date
Total U.S. facilities -8.1% -0.1%
     
Private Clubs -5.4% -1.0%
Total Public Courses -9.0% 0.1%
Public Courses:    
  Premium 2.1% 0.1%
  Standard -9.5% 0.3%
  Value -11.0% 0.1%
     
Region    
Northeast -53.3% -0.1%
Mid-Atlantic -34.2% -0.6%
Southeast 2.9% -0.1%
Central/South Florida 3.2% -0.3%
Gulf Coast 6.8% 4.1%
South Central 1.7% 2.5%
Lower Midwest -53.2% -0.7%
Upper Midwest -34.2% 0.4%
Mountain -4.8% 3.2%
Southwest 7.3% -2.3%
Northwest -34.5% -0.9%

Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart:
Premium (High) – Above $70
Standard (Middle) – $40-$70
Value (Low) – Below $40