Mild temperatures and sparse rainfall in October was key to a nearly 20% improvement for rounds played compared to the year-ago period, according to Golf Datatech.
Public access play was up 19.9% for the month and private course activity was up 17.8%, driving total rounds played to 19.8% growth. Company CEO Tom Stine told Sports Executive Weekly that while it’s possible some of the growth could be do to a rebounding economy, all indications are that the vast majority of the increase was due solely to weather.
During the month, “green grass” sales of golf balls improved 2.6% year-over-year, better than the 1.0% year-to-date improvement, while golf glove sales improved 6.8%, outpacing a YTD growth average of 1.8%.
By region, sales climbed 86.3% in West North Central, 36.8% in East North Central, 27.9% in South Central, 17.2% in Mountain, 10.3% in New England, 9.4% in Mid Atlantic, and 6.3% in South Atlantic. The only declining region was the Pacific, down 2.0%.
While data isn’t yet available for November rounds played, the month was colder-than-usual, indicating results may not replicate those of October rounds played.
