Last year’s surge in rounds of golf played in the United States hasn’t ended, with total rounds in January 2021 up 21.4 percent over the same period of 2020, according to industry reports.
Despite losing several months’ worth of rounds in many states as COVID-19 precautions led to courses being temporarily shuttered, 2020 saw an increase of 13.9 percent in total rounds played over 2019, Golf Datatech and the National Golf Foundation have reported.
The increases in rounds played have come as players—both new golfers and veteran players—sought quarantine relief in the relatively safe environments of golf courses.
The gains in January 2021 over January 2020 were especially noteworthy, as January 2020 was a good month for rounds played before the pandemic took hold. January 2020 saw an 11-percent increase in rounds played over January 2019, so January 2021’s gains are remarkably high.
Rounds played in January 2021 surged in several regions that normally are hampered by winter weather. The gains included 24.8 percent in the New England region, 28.6 percent in the Mid Atlantic and 59.9 percent in the West North Central. In notable warmer climes, there was a 24.8-percent gain in the Pacific region and a 44.2-percent gain in the South Central, Golf Datatech and the NGF reported.
Rounds played at public facilities across the U.S. were up almost 19 percent in January 2021 over January 2020, while rounds at private clubs were up 29 percent.