golf news

Official Opening of the Wee Course at Harbor Shores

Kevin Frisch July 8, 2026

Golf News

Two Swings, Two Aces: Fireworks from Colin Montgomerie Headline Official Opening of the Wee Course at Harbor Shores Resort.

The new golf entertainment venue is open to everyone and designed to make golf more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Harbor Shores Resort celebrated the official opening of the Wee Course today in incomparable fashion. Course designer and World Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie took two swings and made back-to-back holes-in-one to celebrate the innovative nine-hole short course that is quickly becoming a centerpiece for golf, recreation, and community connection in Southwest Michigan.

Montgomerie spent the day at Harbor Shores, playing the course, walking it with guests and media, and playing alongside local youngsters from the area’s PGA Junior League and First Tee Benton Harbor programs. “I am blown away by everything to do with this and the details and vision involved with Jeff Fettig and his group to put this together and to ask me to help in the design, I am very honored and humbled,” Montgomerie said. “I have designed courses around the world, and to see this now in working order, the quality of everything is the big Harbor Shores course quality. It also gives opportunity to everybody, and without opportunity we don’t know the next Tiger Woods; where are they? Are they out there somewhere? Without opportunity, you don’t know. That is what the Wee Course is all about.” Montgomerie aced the third (43 yards) and the fifth (60 yards) holes as he walked with the media, talking about his vision and the ideas he incorporated into the course’s design.

“It was rather strange. We walked the first couple of holes and decided to hit a few shots. I grabbed one of Mr. Fettig’s clubs—a chipper—and figured I’d give it a try from about 60 yards. Somehow it found the hole. Then, incredibly, I did it again on the very next hole we played. Two hole-in-ones in the same day—it’s just unbelievable. When I arrived, 51 aces had been recorded on this course. Now there are 53.”

The five-acre, nine-hole pitch-and-putt course encourages fun and imagination for players of all levels.

The Wee Course is open to the public and is the latest addition to Harbor Shores Resort’s growing collection of golf experiences. The five-acre, nine-hole pitch-and-putt course encourages fun and imagination for players of all levels while remaining approachable for beginners, all in a relaxed environment that can be completed in under an hour. The Wee Course, which features nine holes ranging from 20 to 80 yards and a total yardage between 275 and 500 yards depending on tee selection, blends creativity, playability, and design inspiration from some of the most memorable green complexes found on Harbor Shores’ acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course. Two sets of tee markers allow players to tailor the experience to their ability level. Longer tees introduce additional angles and strategic challenges, while forward tees create an inviting environment for juniors, families, and first-time golfers. Players can even choose to use only a putter from the forward tees, creating a unique and highly social experience. While golf is at the heart of the project, the vision for the Wee Course extends beyond the game itself. It was designed to be a gathering place where families, youth, friends, resort guests, and community members can connect through shared experiences in an environment that reflects the welcoming culture found in many golf communities across Scotland.

Two hole-in-ones in the same day—it’s just unbelievable.

Jeff Fettig, former chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation, a leading contributor through the Fettig Family Foundation, and the visionary behind the Harbor Shores expansion, said the project is already delivering on its original mission. “The Harbor Shores vision has always been to create a positive place for all in our community to enjoy. The Wee Course is the next part of realizing that vision,” says Fettig. “The goal of the Wee Course is to make golf accessible and affordable to everyone. The model is for golf to be the social gathering spot similar to most towns and communities in Scotland, and although it’s only been open for a short time, we are already seeing that happen.” That vision is evident throughout the broader golf entertainment experience surrounding the Wee Course. Adjacent to the short course is Highland Greens, a 15,000-square-foot putting course inspired by legendary putting venues at St. Andrews and Pinehurst. With lighting, music, gathering spaces, and food-and-beverage service from Monty’s Place, the area has quickly become a popular destination for both golfers and non-golfers, extending activity well into the evening. According to Harbor Shores Golf Club PGA, General Manager Joshua Doxtator, the response since the facility’s soft opening has exceeded expectations.

“Since the project was fully completed this spring, the Wee Course continues to gain momentum in the community,” says Doxtator. “The demand has been significant with leagues, Ladies Nights, private events, and most importantly, grandparents, parents, and kids enjoying time together. The response from our resort guests staying in our on-site villas has also been overwhelming. They have access to the course, the putting green, and the firepits, right out their front door.” Community engagement remains a central component of the project. Programs such as First Tee Benton Harbor, PGA Junior League and local youth golf initiatives already use the facility, reinforcing Harbor Shores’ long-standing commitment to creating opportunities through golf.

“We’ve seen a tremendous number of kids playing the course,” continues Doxtator. “Our PGA Junior League has weekly practices, and The First Tee of Benton Harbor utilizes the facility in its programming. In our short time open this season, our commitment to being accessible and affordable to all has held true, and I’m excited about the many events we have planned this year.” Affordability has also been a key consideration from the outset. Pricing begins at $30 for nine holes, $40 for 18 holes, and $50 for all-day access, including use of the putting course. Children under 12 play free with a paying adult, while juniors ages 13-17 receive discounted rates. Season pass options are also available. The opening of the Wee Course represents another milestone in Harbor Shores’ ongoing mission to expand access to golf while creating meaningful community experiences. By combining recreation, hospitality, and youth engagement, the project continues to advance the resort’s vision of using golf as a catalyst for connection and positive community impact.

About Harbor Shores Resort

Harbor Shores Resort is Southwest Michigan’s premier golf destination, anchored by its nationally acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course along the shores of Lake Michigan. One of the country’s most notable examples of golf-driven community revitalization, Harbor Shores was developed through more than $900 million in strategic investment, transforming former industrial and environmentally challenged land into a vibrant destination for recreation, tourism, and economic growth. The championship course has hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship six times between 2012 and 2024. Complemented by The Wee Course, the Inn at Harbor Shores, golf villas, and a variety of stay-and-play experiences, Harbor Shores delivers one of the Midwest’s most distinctive golf resort experiences. Visit https://www.harborshoresresort.com.

Young outlasted England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in a Back-Nine Shootout

Ted Odorico March 22, 2026

Tours and Events

The air at TPC Sawgrass has a way of thickening when the sun begins to dip behind the moss-draped oaks on Championship Sunday. It is a heavy, pressurized atmosphere that has broken the resolve of the world’s greatest golfers for decades. But as the 2026 Players Championship reached its fever pitch, Cameron Young didn’t look like a man burdened by the weight of the “best player without a major” tag that had followed him for years. Instead, he looked like a man who had finally found the key to the most difficult lock in golf.

In a duel that will be remembered as a modern classic, Young outlasted England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in a back-nine shootout that transformed the daunting Stadium Course into a private arena for two of the game’s purest ball-strikers. When the dust settled on the 18th green, Young stood alone—a Players Champion, a multi-time PGA Tour winner, and officially the new face of American golf.

Players Champion: Cameron Young’s masterclass at the Stadium Course

The Shadow of the Past

To understand the significance of Young’s triumph, one must look at the scars he carried into the week. Since bursting onto the scene, Young had become synonymous with “close but not quite.” With a string of runner-up finishes at major championships and elite elevated events, the narrative had become exhausting: great swing, elite power, but could he close?

Fitzpatrick, conversely, arrived at the first tee on Sunday with the steely resume of a U.S. Open champion. He is a tactician, a player who treats a golf course like a math equation to be solved. As they traded birdies on the opening narrow stretches of the front nine, it felt like a collision of philosophies—Young’s raw, explosive power against Fitzpatrick’s meticulous, grinding precision.

The Turning Point

The leaderboard at Sawgrass is notoriously volatile, and for the first two hours of the afternoon, it looked like a four-way car crash. Ludvig Åberg, the overnight leader, seemed to have the tournament in his grasp until the par-4 11th. In a shocking lapse of judgment, the Swede found the water, and then found it again on the 12th. In the span of twenty minutes, the door didn’t just crack open; it was kicked off its hinges.

Young and Fitzpatrick, playing in the penultimate group, sensed the shift instantly. While the rest of the field struggled with the swirling winds that make the back nine at Sawgrass a psychological minefield, these two found a different gear.

Young’s surge began on the par-5 11th, where he reached the green in two with a towering iron shot that seemed to hang in the air forever. The resulting birdie pulled him level with Fitzpatrick. From there, the two became a two-man breakaway. It wasn’t just about the scores; it was the body language. Every time Fitzpatrick rolled in a clutch ten-footer to save par, Young responded by sticking an approach shot inside the shadow of the flagstick.

The Gauntlet: 16, 17, and 18

The finish at TPC Sawgrass—the par-5 16th, the island-green 17th, and the brutal 18th—is the most terrifying three-hole stretch in the sport. It is where dreams go to drown.

On the 16th, Fitzpatrick played the hole to perfection, laying up and pitching to three feet for a clinical birdie. Young, refusing to play safe, went for the green in two. His ball cleared the water by a mere yard, settling in the fringe. He scrambled for birdie to keep pace, but the momentum seemed to be leaning toward the Englishman. Then came the 17th.

The Island Green is less a golf hole and more a psychological experiment. With the stadium crowd roaring, Fitzpatrick played a safe, conservative shot to the fat part of the green. The pressure shifted entirely to Young. If he missed, the tournament was over. Instead, Young pulled a 57-degree wedge and played a shot so aggressive it silenced the gallery. The ball skipped twice and checked up just six feet from the hole.

When Young poured in the birdie putt, the roar was heard all the way back in Jacksonville. They were tied going to the last.

A Drive for the Ages

The 18th at Sawgrass is a hole that demands a draw over a lake that looks like an ocean. Most players aim for the right-center and hope for the best. Cameron Young, however, produced the single most impressive physical feat of the season.

He unleashed a drive that registered 124 mph of clubhead speed. The ball tracked perfectly over the corner of the water, catching the downslope of the fairway and rolling out to a staggering 375 yards. It was the longest drive on the 18th hole in the history of ShotLink tracking. It turned the hardest par-4 on the course into a pitch-and-putt.

Fitzpatrick, forced to press, pushed his tee shot into the pine straw on the right. From a difficult lie, he could only hack his approach to the front edge of the green. When Fitzpatrick’s par effort slipped past the low side of the cup, the stage was set. Young had two putts from 15 feet to win.

He only needed one.

The Aftermath

As the final putt dropped, Young didn’t offer a wild celebration. There was no hat toss or fist pump to the heavens. Instead, he took a long, deep breath and shared a lingering embrace with his caddie. The look on his face wasn’t just joy; it was relief.

“I’ve been in this position enough times to know that nothing is guaranteed,” Young said afterward, clutching the gold Tiffany-designed trophy. “To do it here, against a player like Matt, on a course that tests every single part of your soul… it’s hard to put into words. I think I just proved to myself that I belong.”

For Fitzpatrick, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but he was gracious in defeat. “I didn’t lose it,” he remarked outside the scoring hut. “Cameron won it. That drive on 18… I don’t know many people on the planet who can hit that shot under that kind of pressure.”

A New Era

The 2026 Players Championship will be remembered for the record-breaking $4.5 million purse and the technical brilliance of the golf played, but more importantly, it signaled a shift in the hierarchy of the PGA Tour. With this victory, Cameron Young moved to No. 4 in the world rankings. He is no longer the “nearly man.”

As he walked off the 18th green toward the clubhouse, the “stadium” atmosphere he had mentioned earlier was still buzzing. Young had faced the most intimidating closing stretch in golf and emerged not just unscathed, but emboldened. The monkey is off his back, and if his performance at Sawgrass is any indication, the rest of the major championship season should be very, very worried.

Jeongeun Lee6 Captures Thrilling Victory at IOA Golf Classic

Ted Odorico March 22, 2026

ET26_IOA-Classic_Champion_IB_Lee6-Jeongeun-5

Tours and Events

In a commanding final-round performance, Jeongeun Lee6 surged to victory at the IOA Golf Classic, claiming her second professional title and first since her breakthrough 2019 U.S. Women’s Open triumph.

Entering Sunday in a three-way tie for the lead alongside Haylee Harford Sanchez and Liqi Zeng, the 29-year-old from the Republic of Korea battled early nerves amid ongoing swing adjustments following the loss of her LPGA Tour card after the 2025 season. Undeterred, Lee6 delivered a brilliant 6-under-par round featuring one eagle and seven birdies, finishing at the top of the leaderboard by a single stroke.

She started strong with birdies on two of her first three holes but briefly faltered with bogeys on No. 6 and No. 9, turning at 2-under. Regaining momentum, she birdied No. 12 before exploding on the par-5 13th with a stunning eagle. Lee6 sealed the win on the closing holes, most notably with a precise full pitching wedge from 116 meters to two feet on the final hole, which she calmly converted for birdie.

“I’m still feeling uncomfortable with my swing, but I tried to focus on what I had to do today, and it worked well,” Lee6 said. Reflecting on the decisive shot, she added, “Yes, if I made a birdie, I can win. I knew that. But it was 116 meters, so I was thinking a controlled nine or full pitching wedge. I changed to the pitching wedge, hit a full shot, and made it.”

Fellow Republic of Korea native Jiwon Jeon also staged a significant charge on Sunday, starting the day in a tie for 13th, at 4-under par total. The LPGA and Epson Tour veteran quickly got to work dropping back-to-back birdies on holes two and three and again on eight and nine to make the turn 4-under. The University of Alabama alumnae got to work and two birdies and an eagle on the back nine, to sign for a bogey-free 8-under, bringing her to 12-under total for the tournament and claiming a solo second finish.

“I mean, it feels amazing, Jeon expressed, “My golf game has been a little off the last couple of years, and I worked really hard during off season and am trying to get my game back and the confidence back on the golf course. That worked out pretty well. I’m very proud of myself shooting 8 under today.”

With this win, Lee6 is now sitting at No. 1 in the Race for the Card standings, with week one winner Isabella Fierro being the second athlete to claim the top of the leaderboard this 2026 season.

Mariel Galdiano started the day one shot back of 36-hole leaders Haylee Harford Sanchez, Liqi Zeng, and Jeongeun Lee6, ultimately finishing in solo third at 11-under total. Galdiano put up a good fight, finding a mix of eagles, birdies, and bogeys for a final round of 5-under. The Hawaii native now has eight top-10 finishes throughout her Epson Tour career and is looking forward to carrying this momentum into the final event of the Florida swing with hopes of securing her first professional win.

When the day began, Amari Avery was in a tie for 26th at 1-under par, before lighting it up in her final round on Championship Sunday. Avery rounded the turn with a strong 2-under 33 on the front nine. The University of Southern California native did not stop there, making four more birdies, highlighted by three consecutive on holes 12-14, ultimately signing for a 6-under, 65, to finish the tournament in a tie for eighth. With this top finish, Avery now sits at No. 13 in the Race for the Card standings and looks to hold her position as the remainder of the season gets underway.

As the first weeks of the 2026 season continue, the Epson Tour will head off to Lakeland, Fla., for the inaugural playing of the Orlando Health Championship from March 20-22 at the Grasslands Golf & Country Club.

Epson Tour Video: Jeongeun Lee6

Fresh off a victory on the Epson Tour, Jeongeun Lee6 wasted no time proving she still had momentum to spare.

Less than 24 hours after capturing the title at the IOA Golf Classic in Longwood, Fla., Lee6 boarded a red-eye flight, arrived in California in the early morning hours, and teed it up in the Monday Qualifier for the Fortinet Founders Cup, where she earned one of the two coveted spots in the field. There was no rest, no reset, and barely any sleep.

“I went straight to the housing, my friend’s house, and then arrived maybe at 4:20 a.m. I took a shower in hot water. I needed that,” Lee6 said. “Then I didn’t sleep because if I slept, I’d be more tired, I think. So, I didn’t sleep, stretched a little bit, and then I had breakfast, and then went straight to the tee box.”

Press release: Epson Tour Communications, Carly Haines – Digital Content Producer for the Epson Tour

BOYNE Golf Nominated for Best Golf Resort in USA Today 10BEST

Kevin Frisch February 26, 2026

Golf News

One of North America’s largest destination golf resorts will be a part of the annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Petoskey, MI – BOYNE Golf, a collection of 11 golf courses across three destination resorts in Northern Michigan, has been nominated for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. The national awards, curated by a panel of subject-matter experts, recognize top attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations.

The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards is voted on by the public, which begins on Monday, February 23rd at noon EST and ends on Monday, March 23rd at 11:59 am EST. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced on Wednesday, April 1^st at noon EST.

Readers can vote at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-golf-resort/.

In 2025, BOYNE Golf was recognized by USA Today as No. 1 among the 10BEST Golf Destinations in the U.S. for a golf getaway. In addition, The Highlands was ranked No. 2 in the 10BEST Golf Resort category.

“We are very excited to once again be nominated by USA Today 10BEST, and to have the opportunity to be recognized nationally alongside some of the best golf destinations in the country is an honor,” said Josh Richter, PGA, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for BOYNE Golf. “The significant investment we have made in our golf courses and lodging renovations in recent years, along with our team of golf professionals, agronomy, lodging, and food and beverage, and the passion they bring to ensure our guests have an amazing experience at BOYNE Golf, is a testament to giving us this amazing opportunity.

Everett Kircher, who founded Boyne Resorts in 1947 by acquiring 40 acres of land with a modest ski hill for $1, has since become North America’s largest family-owned golf and ski company. A former Michigan state senator said as he accepted $1 from Kircher for the land – “Anybody damn fool enough to want to build a ski hill, well … I’ll give you this property.”

BOYNE Golf’s flagship destination along the shores of Lake Michigan is the nationally recognized Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, a premier luxury retreat built on the site of a historic limestone quarry and cement factory. Designed by Arthur Hills, Bay Harbor Golf Club features 27 holes, including the award-winning Links/Quarry and Preserve courses, blending dramatic bluffs along Lake Michigan with holes routed through a striking rock quarry and hardwood forests. Nearby, Crooked Tree Golf Club winds through centuries-old hardwoods overlooking Little Traverse Bay.

Across its three northern Michigan resorts—Bay Harbor, The Highlands, and Boyne Mountain—BOYNE Golf offers an unmatched variety of experiences. The Highlands now features five courses, including The Heather, Arthur Hills, Donald Ross Memorial, The Moor, and the new Doon Brae Par 3 course and Back Yaird Putting Course. At Boyne Mountain, guests enjoy mountainside golf on the Monument and Alpine courses alongside diverse lodging options, from the Mountain Grand Lodge to Chalet Edelweiss.

About BOYNE Golf

BOYNE Golf has been recognized as one of North America’s “Premier Resorts” (Gold) by GOLF Magazine. The Highlands at Harbor Springs, rated the No. 1 Golf Resort for Value by Golf.com, features four championship courses, a new par three-course Doon Brae, and a 27-hole putting course, The Back Yaird. The Heather, the 2019 NGCOA Course of the Year, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., while Arthur Hills crafted the Hills Course. In addition, the resort features The Donald Ross Memorial, a rendition of the legendary architect’s great holes from around the country, and the always fun Moor course. The Highlands is the perfect buddy trip destination for golfers who like to play as many holes as they can during the long summer daylight hours that northern Michigan features.

The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, the premier golf destination’s flagship properties, feature 45 holes, including three golf course combinations designed by Arthur Hills (Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, and Preserve/Links), and the scenic Crooked Tree Golf Club, with one of the most beautiful and iconic hotels in America, all set along a scenic five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Boyne Mountain not only features two picturesque 18-hole courses (The Monument and The Alpine), along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, it is also the leading family-friendly golf destination in the region with the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, junior golf camps, and various kid golf programs. Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain one of its “Top 10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips.”

For more information, visit BOYNEGolf.com.

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

Golf Academy at Horseshoe Bay Resort Announces Major Champion Two-Day Golf School

Marc Hall February 25, 2026

Golf News

2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem joins Director of Instruction Bobby Steiner for unique two-day game improvement opportunities.

HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS – The Golf Academy at Horseshoe Bay Resort – located at the AAA-Four Diamond and Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Award-winning resort, a part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection – has the return of its 2-Day Major Champion Golf School that debuted last year.

On March 21 and 22, 2026, golfers can experience a two-day golf school with 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem and Horseshoe Bay’s Resort Director of Golf Instruction Bobby Steiner. This powerhouse coaching team will provide the tools and confidence for golfers to take their game to the next level. Availability is limited to six participants.

Horseshoe Bay Resort – Director of Instruction Bobby Steiner

Beem’s father was a 25-year PGA of America member and taught the game full-time. Thus growing up, Beem assumed he would be a lifelong teacher as well. “I would’ve been if I hadn’t found success on the PGA Tour,” says Beem. “It’s nice to be on the lesson tee again, helping people get the most out of their game,” says Beem.

The Major Champion 2-Day Golf School package includes guest room accommodations, as well as admission to the school.

Major Champion 2-Day Golf School Schedule:

9am to Noon – Putting, Chipping, Pitching, and Full Swing (complete with Trackman video analysis)
Noon – Break for lunch with Instructor (included in your package)
1pm – 9-Hole Playing Lesson with Beem and Steiner
3pm – End of school day, all participants are free to continue playing and/or practicing for the remainder of the day.

“Some lessons are better learned on the course, and so in addition to playing my own ball, I play the role of caddie during playing lessons,” says Beem. “It’s more about teaching people how to think their way around the course. Many 15-handicappers could be single-digit if they just made better decisions on the course.”

Steiner adds “It brings me great joy to help every student reach the level to which they aspire. At these schools, those who join us will enjoy the rare experience of learning from someone who stood toe-to-toe with the game’s greatest players and emerged victorious. Everyday golfers can learn a great deal from Rich’s approach to playing and scoring and keeping a great attitude on the course.”

The Golf Academy at Horseshoe Bay Resort is a purpose-built facility designed to enhance the game of golfers of all levels, featuring advanced technology such as Trackman and Toptracer, dedicated short-game practice areas, and a partnership with Callaway Golf for equipment and fitting services.

The 3,000-square-foot academy, helmed by the experienced instructor and author Steiner, offers personalized instruction, golf schools, and clinics in a comfortable and technologically advanced environment. The space features two climate-controlled indoor bays fully equipped with technology that provides real-time swing analysis and golf simulator capabilities; eight covered outdoor hitting stations with technology for detailed shot data, yardage and ball flight tracking; and 4,500-square-foot short-game area with natural grass putting and chipping green.

To learn more about the Major Champion 2-Day Golf School at Horseshoe Bay Resort, visit https://www.hsbresort.com/golf/golf-academy/.

About Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort is one of America’s largest golf and lakeside resort destinations. It is located 45 minutes from Austin on more than 7,000 picturesque acres of the Texas Hill Country and along the spectacular shores of constant-level Lake LBJ. It features four championship golf courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members Robert Trent Jones Sr and Jack Nicklaus, as well as the exciting 18-hole Zoysia-grass Whitewater Putting Course.

Horseshoe Bay Resort has invested $150+ million in a property-wide capital improvement program and new construction. The work included enhanced guest accommodation and meeting spaces, as well as renovation of the golf courses and club houses. The resort also features a lakeside spa, world-class tennis and pickleball, a full-service lake marina, and a private airport. The AAA Four Diamond resort is part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts distinguished Latitudes lifestyle hotels and resorts division. For more information and reservations visit www.hsbresort.com or call 877-611-0112.

About Crescent Hotels & Resorts
Crescent Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, nationally recognized, operator of hotels and resorts with over 120 properties in the United States & Canada. Crescent is one of the few elite management companies approved to operate upper-upscale and luxury hotels under the brand families of Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Crescent also operates a collection of independent and lifestyle properties under the Latitudes Collection umbrella. These properties include NOPSI Hotel New Orleans, Horseshoe Bay Resort, and The Opus Westchester, Autograph Collection. Powered by innovative, forward-thinking experts, Latitudes is a modern management platform for lifestyle hotels and resorts where creative concepts connect with modern travelers from urban boutique hotels to oceanside luxury resorts.

Crescent’s clients include premiere REITs, private equity firms, and major developers. For more information, please visit www.crescenthotels.com and www.latitudesbycrescent.com or connect with Crescent on LinkedIn.

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

2026’s Hottest Indoor Golf Trends Revealed

Marc Hall February 25, 2026

Golf News

The Indoor Golf Shop and Practical Golf’s Jon Sherman Keep You Up to Date on Simulator and Launch Monitor Technology.

The landscape of golf is changing. No longer is it just played on golf courses around the world, it can also be played in your garage, basement, or a sports bar with the right setup. Thanks to companies like The Indoor Golf Shop, it’s never been easier to set up a home golf simulator or even to add one or two or more to a clubhouse or any other entertainment establishment.

The Indoor Golf Shop’s one-stop shopping multiverse offers an industry-leading selection of residential and commercial indoor golf equipment, which includes a full selection of launch monitors and simulators from companies like Trackman, Uneekor, Garmin, Bushnell, Flightscope, ProTee, Full Swing, and Tru Golf. The company also offers projectors, wall padding, golf mats, and many other products to help you set up your own sim at home.

But where is this industry going? Has it reached its peak? How real can these experiences get? And perhaps, just as important, how good are these simulator and launch monitor setups for serious game improvement?

To answer some of these questions, we talked to an expert, Jon Sherman, the founder of Practical Golf. Sherman’s newsletters, website, and podcasts are all about helping golfers get better. And having an indoor simulator or even just a launch monitor can play a large role in a golfer’s progress. He says it’s never been more affordable, and easier to set up. And now we are starting to see more and more stand-alone businesses that are focusing on simulators, whether it’s for league play, lessons, or just pure enjoyment. And that trend’s not ending anytime soon.

Let’s talk about the realism and effective game improvement that a good launch monitor/simulator setup can bring to serious golfers. What are your thoughts on what has made launch monitor technology so much more relatable to the outdoor game?

First off, my personal opinion is that Trackman has one of the best softwares, especially when you take into consideration different range environments, the testing you can do, the games, the tournaments and so on. I just think if someone wanted the absolute best software with graphics, user interface, challenge, Trackman is definitely the leader.

Of course, that comes at a premium price, correct?

Yes, in order to get into that world, you have to buy the Trackman iO or the Trackman 4, which is $15-25K, plus you’re going to commit to $1,100 a year on software costs. It is definitely an investment, but it’s worth it.

But in my opinion, I think GS Pro (an add-on subscription to compatible launch monitors), which is the software I use, is way more cost-manageable. And I think that their practice environments have a lot of good skill development games. You can customize the range really well. I actually prefer that over some of the leading OEM software. Now, it doesn’t work with every launch monitor but they do have integration with Foresight Sports systems now, for example.

What about really affordable systems like SkyTrak? You can’t use GS Pro with it, correct?

Right. SkyTrak has decided not to do that because they want a proprietary system now. Obviously, with Trackman, you’re going to use their software, which is incredible. Foresight is solid, but it does have some features like dispersion tracking and some other stuff that would be better for clubfitters. But as a consumer product, I would say GS Pro is amazing, as far as a dynamic software that’s going to help bring your simulator experience to life.

When it comes to using the indoor environment for game-improvement, can launch monitors and simulators be an effective tool?

They do a better job of customization of the environment now. You can go on Trackman, for example, and there’s a mode where you can do a variety of testing, like running different tests of clubs. There’s a mode where you can customize the range in terms of the green, like do you want to go to a back right pin, or do you want to do a short-game challenge. You can do situational practice on the golf course. You can really put yourself in an environment that you would face on the golf course.

To take it further, let’s say you’re really uncomfortable hitting a 50-yard wedge shot over a bunker. You can create that environment. Or you can say, I want to have a front-left pin on an elevated green, and work on my strategy here and make sure I don’t chase that pin.

So you can genuinely create any scenario you like on the golf course or range. And in addition to that, they have really good diagnostics like strokes gained data, and you can see how good your shots are with launch angle and distance. And you can get competitive with it.

Trackman Combine is also incredible. I’ve always loved that, and they have something similar in GS Pro now. So yeah, it’s just so much more robust. I think there’s like four or five different main practice environments you can do on Trackman.

Price accessibility and unprecedented competition within the indoor golf space have led to affordability with a high return on investment for those with modest to medium-range budgets. What are companies like SkyTrak doing to give consumers high value without paying top-of-the-market prices?

I was originally a SkyTrak user, so I’ve been a big fan of what they’ve done. I always thought the software had good practice tools. Like they had the bag mapping (how far you hit each club in the bag), the wedge matrix, and a performance test. Now since they’ve kind of rolled together with Golftec (which bought SkyTrak in 2022), they actually had very good skill-based practice, where you can create physical boundaries. They have fun games that are similar to Trackman where you can do bullseye stuff and arcade game type scenarios.

SkyTrak also just added swing speed training with the new ST Max, which is the newest version of the launch monitor. You can have a speed training environment where you can measure your swing speed without hitting a ball, which has become a really popular training method.

So in terms of overall value, SkyTrak seems like a great option.

I’ve always thought SkyTrak was one of the best indoor golf solutions. If you ask me who’s the best below Foresight and Trackman in terms of a launch monitor manufacturer, in terms of game improvement software, SkyTrak is probably it.

But you can make the argument that Foresight has gotten more aggressive. I would honestly rather pay more for better software and save a little bit of money on the launch monitor. Less expensive launch monitors are still pretty accurate. I think that’s a pretty good tradeoff in that space.

And I do think SkyTrak kind of has an ace up its sleeve with that Golftec integration. They’re just going to keep adding more and more game-improvement features. They’re very focused on that.

So what are we looking at pricewise to set up a SkyTrak system?

Right now, with the new ST Max, you’re going to pay between $2,500 and $3,000 for a launch monitor. You have to take the SkyTrak subscription which I believe is anywhere between $300 to $600 a year. They’ve got the Foresight/Trackman courses on there now, which is nice. So yeah, you’re going to pay a little more for their software. But you’re saving on the launch monitor; you’re not going to spend eight to 10 grand on that… That’s the tradeoff. They’re investing more in the software, but it’s also gotten more expensive. And you can only use theirs.

As we see simulator bars and clubs popping up all over the place, could you share your insights on this both as a value for consumers and as a potential small business idea?

I think their biggest challenge, talking to some of the owners, is just how to fill up ambient time, and by that I mean, weekday time and even weekday nights, especially in the warmer months.

I think some of the bigger companies have figured that out with food and beverage. But then you have smaller ones. I’ve seen a self-serve model. There’s basically no one working there. You just purchase a membership, and you book it online, and you have a key fob and you can get in there whenever you want. I think that’s the solution in terms of doing one that has a much lower overhead. You don’t have to pay as many – or maybe not any – employees, but there are far fewer perks available. It’s just people who want to hit golf balls and nothing else. But the bigger companies have figured it out.

Can you give some examples of the bigger companies that are finding success?

We have one here in the Northeast, Golf Lounge 18. They have about 12 locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Long Island. And they’ve been expanding. They build really nice high-end places with bars and big screen TVs. They go for the crowd that wants to watch a football game and hang out. A friend of mine who’s at my club goes to a high-end place like this on Long Island.

Then there’s Five Iron Golf (which offers memberships, leagues, lessons, and can host parties up to 200 people). They’re the national success story. Callaway invested in that. They are in just about every major city.

Is there still room for growth in the golf entertainment/indoor country club and game improvement facilities space?

It’s definitely happening. But it’s not always an easy business. I think there are challenges with that ambient time. Although many have found a model that fills the time with older clients on weekdays, kids and junior programs and league play in the afternoon, and league play or some form of golf entertainment in the evenings.

I don’t think it’s going to stop. Golfers will get more and more used to playing indoors and the technology is going to continue to make the indoor game more realistic-feeling. I don’t think it’s going away. I don’t think it’s a fad. I think it will become more commonplace, especially for people who don’t have the room or the budget to do it at home.

Like here where I live, we’re not playing golf for four or five months. So it’s a way to hang out with your golf buddies who you might not see over the winter. Your golf buddies are different from your normal friends sometimes. Like you hang out at the simulator together. I’ve done that with my friends. I enjoy it.

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

Shangri-La Resort Director of Golf Ryan Snyder Named South Central PGA’s Merchandiser of the Year

Marc Hall February 5, 2026

Golf News

MONKEY ISLAND, OKLAHOMA – Ryan Snyder, PGA of America Director of Golf at Shangri-La Resort + Golf Club, Oklahoma’s premier waterfront golf and outdoor recreation destination, has been named the 2025 PGA Merchandiser of the Year for the Resort category in the South Central PGA Section.

“I’m honored to receive the award,” said Snyder. “I couldn’t have done it without my amazing staff, including head pro Brice Long, assistant pros Mateo Villegas and Chad Dalton, as well as our inside staff and clerks like Mike Jacobs and Mike Haney who have done an excellent job providing a high-value purchasing experience for our members and guests. This is a great place, it’s down-to-earth, and we really love what we do. Rolling into 2026, we’re going to try to win it again.”

Director of Golf Ryan Snyder – South Central PGA’s Merchandiser of the Year

Shangri-La boosted its rounds played in 2025, which in turn increased greens fees sales and merchandise sales. The shop sells apparel labels like Donald Ross, Peter Millar and Under Armour, and club brands like PXG, Callaway, and Titleist. “This isn’t a normal spot,” says Snyder. “It’s relaxed, laid back where you come in and have a good time, let your hair down, and enjoy. We say, ‘Hi and how are you?’ and I think everybody appreciates the friendliness. We’re very service-oriented, help people out, and put forth gestures that make everybody feel at home.”

Snyder says Shangri-La’s golf merchandising philosophy is rooted in a simple belief: the golf shop is the heartbeat of the club experience. “It’s the first impression, the service hub, and a reflection of the values we uphold on and off the course,” he says. “We strive to create an environment that’s welcoming, professional and inspiring, where golfers of all levels feel valued, informed and excited about the game.”

Every product the shop carries must elevate performance, enhance comfort, or celebrate the traditions of golf. The shop offers a balanced assortment that blends trusted industry leaders with innovative emerging brands, ensuring members and guests have access to the best equipment, apparel, and accessories.

“Our philosophy emphasizes seasonal planning and strategic storytelling,” adds Snyder. “Merchandising is not just displaying products — it’s presenting solutions, guiding purchasing decisions, and creating emotional connections. We use cohesive color stories, purposeful layout, and modern visual standards to keep the shop fresh, dynamic, and aligned with member expectations. Each display looks exceptional but also improves product accessibility and drives engagement.”

He also believes in providing exceptional service, personalized knowledgeable support through custom fittings, special orders, and proactive communication. And he makes sure that staffers build relationships, understand preferences, and anticipate needs that allow them to offer an elevated retail experience that extends beyond the transaction.

Snyder says staffers manage inventory with discipline, analyze sales performance regularly, and make data-driven adjustments to ensure profitability and long-term sustainability. “Ultimately, our merchandising philosophy reflects our mission: to enrich the golfer’s experience through excellence, creativity, and unwavering attention to detail,” he says. “People and culture come first.”

Visit shangrilaok.com for more information.

About Shangri-La Resort
Shangri-La Resort, located on northeastern Oklahoma’s 46,500-acre Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, is the ultimate destination for relaxation and both indoor and outdoor activities. The resort hotel offers 9,000 square feet of versatile meeting and conference space, as well as a medical spa, steam room, sauna, fitness center, an indoor pool, and an expansive 6,500-square-foot outdoor pool with hot tub, tanning ledge, and splash pad. The resort offers six distinct dining and cocktails venues to complete an unforgettable getaway for golfers, families, groups, corporate and association retreats, and weddings.

Shangri-La’s visionary owner Eddy Gibbs has transformed the resort into the pride of Northeast Oklahoma and put the lakefront vacation oasis on the map nationally with an investment of more than $100 million into the property’s accommodations and upscale leisure amenities since taking over in 2010.

Surrounded by the waters of Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees on three sides, the revered 27-hole championship Shangri-La golf course meanders through rolling parkland landscapes with elevated Bentgrass greens and clever bunkering along with more open, flowing fairways accented by ponds, streams, and the breathtaking lakefront. The Legends ninth, “The Mickey Mantle Hole,” uniquely features two separate greens complexes and is named after the New York Yankees legend who hosted his Mickey Mantle Golf Classic charity tournament at Shangri-La and once holed an albatross on this iconic par five.

The Anchor indoor/outdoor activity park offers basketball, tennis, pickleball, cornhole, and a unique “Mini-Fenway” WIFFLE®Ball park, as well as a catch-and-release fishing pond for children under 12. The 11,000 square-foot indoor facility offers traditional arcade games, virtual reality games, a LaserShot shooting simulator, and Trackman Golf simulators. The popular Sports Bar at The Anchor features several sports screens, including two giant video walls, along with ping-pong, pool, shuffleboard, darts, and foosball.

The resort’s full-service marina offers permanent rental slips and courtesy docks for those who visit the resort by water and is replete with a ship store that even sells gasoline and diesel. Boat and personal watercraft rentals are available, along with yacht charters and Oklahoma’s only parasailing adventures.

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

Honma BERES 10 – Artistry Meets Pure Speed

Joanne Miller February 4, 2026

Golf News

BERES 10 is defined by performance, luxury, and craftsmanship.

Carlsbad, CA — Honma Golf, the leader in beautifully crafted performance golf equipment, today announces the launch of BERES 10, the next generation of the iconic collection. Crafted for players who value consistency, luxury, and effortless power, BERES 10 elevates performance through greater distance, precision, and control.

For more than 65 years, Honma has manufactured the world’s most luxurious golf clubs and has turned heads with its prestigious BERES family of clubs. BERES 10 continues this tradition, representing the highest expression of luxury in golf, where rarity, refinement, and performance exist in perfect harmony. Globally recognized as a symbol of prestige, BERES has long been the choice of those who value craftsmanship at its most elevated level.

The intricate design of BERES 10 draws inspiration from Edo Kiriko, a traditional Japanese glass-cutting art established in 1834 and designated a National Traditional Craft of Japan. The disciplined geometry, deep colors, and intricate two-tone overlay techniques of Edo Kiriko mirror Honma’s own philosophy—where technical excellence and refined beauty coexist.

The timeless beauty of Edo Kiriko glasses inspired master Takumi craftsmen, whose pursuit of perfection defines Honma’s legacy. The glass-cutting discipline combines a unique blend of transparency, dimension, and metallic elegance that shifts with the light in exquisite detail. The BERES 10 woods feature striking laser-cut patterns on the clubheads, creating a modern interpretation of glass-cutting techniques that are executed with a level of precision found only in the world’s most exclusive creations. These are not decorative gestures; they are signatures of mastery.

Yet BERES 10 is defined as much by performance as by appearance. Advanced engineering is seamlessly integrated to deliver effortless clubhead speed, powerful distance, and a penetrating, remarkably stable ball flight. Advanced materials and hand-finished construction work together to produce efficient ball flight and reliable performance. The result is a set that performs with authority while preserving the elegance expected at this level. (3-Star woods feature a champagne gold sole; 4 Star and 5 Star grade woods have a gold sole.)

BERES 10 Driver

At the heart of the BERES 10 Driver is the Pure Speed Engine, a suite of four advanced technologies engineered to deliver maximum acceleration and efficiency at impact. The Full Titanium Frame features an ultra-thin, high-rigidity crown and body that optimize head stability and energy transfer, while the Rear Weight Balancer incorporates a 9-gram (men’s model) high-density sole weight to lower the center of gravity for higher launch and increased forgiveness. A forged Cup Face Design expands the high-speed zone across the entire clubface, and the Variable Thickness Face utilizes an optimized flex pattern to minimize ball-speed loss on off-center strikes. Together, these innovations produce exceptional ball speed, high MOI, and a stable, powerful launch – engineered for one purpose: pure speed.

The women’s BERES 10 Driver features a Full Titanium Frame, Casting Cup Face, and 4-gram Rear Weight Balancer to achieve high ball speed, MOI, and forgiveness. (Men’s and Women’s Driver Pricing: 3 Star $1,200, 4 Star $2,000, and 5 Star $5,000)

BERES 10 Fairway Wood & Hybrids

BERES 10 performance extends far beyond the driver, with Pure Speed engineered throughout the Fairway Woods and Hybrids. Each club features Cup Face construction, a Rear Weight Balancer with loft-specific weighting, and a low center of gravity design to promote naturally high launch, paired with high-strength faces for explosive ball speed. The result is aggressive long-game performance that delivers exceptional forgiveness and extended carry from every position on the course. The women’s Rear Weight Balancer features a 4-gram aluminum weight. (Men’s and Women’s 3 Star Fairway $800/Utility $600, 4 Star Fairway $1,500/Utility $1,400, and 5 Star Fairway $5,000/Utility $5,000)

BERES 10 Irons

Forged by master craftsmen, BERES 10 Irons unite refined beauty with powerful distance performance. The new Speed Core Face integrates a 3D L-Cup Face Structure that expands the high-velocity zone across the entire face and maintains ball speed on off-center hits, while a 3D Variable Thickness Design optimizes energy transfer efficiency and feel at impact. An intricately crafted 3D Emblem Structure suppresses unwanted vibration while elevating the club’s premium aesthetics. A low-and-deep center of gravity promotes higher launch and steeper landing angles to help hold greens, and lightweight shafts featuring an advanced 5-axis hybrid metal mesh construction with TORAYCA® T1100G carbon fiber deliver improved impact efficiency, higher ball speed, and greater distance.

The Men’s and Women’s BERES 10 Iron sets are distinguishable in composition. The men’s collection is a forged S25C carbon steel, and the women’s product offering is a body of 17-4 stainless steel casting. (Men’s and Women’s 3 Star $550/each, 4 Star $1,350/each, and 5 Star $5,000/each)

LEADING GOLF SHAFT TECHNOLOGY – ARMRQ FLIGHT

HONMA’s proprietary golf shaft technology pushes the limits of performance with advanced carbon composites and high-grade metals. Variations based on design and material differences. Higher grades deliver greater precision and consistency — for longer, straighter shots.

★★★3S – The high-elasticity TORAYCA® M40X, which pursues the ultimate in both fiber strength and elastic modulus, provides superior playing performance that efficiently accelerates head speed without waste, while at the same time suppressing torque and improving stability.

★★★★4S – The kick point is designed closer to the tip to further improve club head speed. At the same time, flexing and torque are further suppressed, increasing initial speed and stability.

★★★★★5S – From the 4S grade, the bias layer has been further strengthened to generate strong torsional return power. This is an ultra-premium shaft that achieves the ultimate flight and stability.

The BERES 10 collection is available in Men’s and Women’s 3 Star, 4 Star, and 5 Star series. Standard iron sets include 7-10, SW for ladies, and 5-11, AW, SW for men. Visit us.honmagolf.com for more information.

Honma Golf: Taylor Hull – Sales Director, North America email: taylorhull@honmagolf.com

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

Cutalong at Tributer Resort Receives Multiple Awards in Golf Inc’s Golden Fork Competition

Kevin Frisch February 4, 2026

Golf News

Mineral, VA — Cutalong at Tributer Resort, a Reef Capital Partners development along the shores of beautiful Lake Anna, in Central Virginia, has received multiple awards in Golf Inc’s 2026 Golden Fork Competition. The honor highlights Coopers Bar & Restaurant, which placed 3^rd in both the New Private F&B Facility and Food Programming categories.

Coopers, which was the only F&B facility to be honored in two categories, made its debut alongside the opening of the new clubhouse, marking a defining milestone in the evolution of the luxury destination golf development – Cutalong at Tributer Resort. As the first completed amenity, the clubhouse—anchored by Coopers—sets the tone for the community, blending panoramic golf-course views with thoughtfully designed gathering spaces where members and resort guests come together to create memorable experiences.

“Having Cutalong at Tributer Resort recognized by Golf Inc. as part of the Golden Fork Awards is a tremendous honor for the club, our members, and team,” said Ian Sikes, General Manager at Cutalong at Tributer Resort. “The award is a testament to the vision of our F&B team, the dedication to hospitality and service displayed daily by Cutalong’s staff, and the support from club membership.”

Coopers’ food and beverage program is a celebration of the region’s culinary heritage, built around seasonality. Menus highlight fresh seafood and indigenous, pasture-raised meats, with a commitment to sourcing that sets the club apart — including receiving daily deliveries of premium fresh seafood.

One Golf Inc. judge said, “Fresh regional seafood, heritage meats, seasonal menus, and crafted cocktails show a consistent emphasis on technique and ingredient integrity.”

The wine program, curated by a Master Sommelier alongside a Level 2 expert, also offers a thoughtful balance of boutique producers and iconic Napa Valley selections. A seasonally rotating cocktail menu complements the experience, reimagining timeless recipes with modern techniques and creative flair.

Central to the culinary identity is an in-house bakery, where fresh breads, pastries and desserts are crafted daily from scratch using time-honored methods and premium ingredients. Together, the program delivers a refined, yet welcoming dining experience rooted in flavor and artistry.

“Coopers has quickly become a defining part of the Cutalong Tributer member experience because it offers far more than exceptional food; it fosters genuine connection and community,” said Dave Medina, Director of Food and Beverage at Cutalong Tributer Resort. “From weekend brunches and curated Chef’s Table dinners to Master Sommelier–guided wine tastings and enhanced happy hours, every experience is thoughtfully designed with our members in mind. Our chef-driven menus, creative programming, and partnerships with local producers like Lost Barrel Brewery reflect an innovative, member-first spirit. That same creativity led to our custom draft beer, The Cut Lager, a 2025 Virginia Bronze Medal winner. At Coopers, members don’t just dine. They connect, celebrate, and feel at home.”

The Golf Inc. Golden Fork Awards, which were recently announced in the January/February 2026 issue, once again celebrate the excellence in golf club food-and-beverage design and programming, honoring the industry’s most innovative culinary experiences worldwide. Judges evaluated creativity, menu design, signature dishes and drinks, use of fresh and local ingredients, and overall guest experience.

As Golf Inc. noted in announcing this year’s winners, “From traditional American fare to a diverse array of international offerings, this year’s winners display a robust assortment of innovative menus and beautiful dining spaces.”

With the opening of the award-winning Coopers and the clubhouse, Reef Capital Partners continues to expand offerings, further establishing the resort as one of the nation’s most desirable destination golf communities. Whether playing a round on the nationally acclaimed golf course, enjoying the amenities, or relaxing lakeside, Cutalong at Tributer Resort provides an exceptional blend of leisure, luxury, and community.

For more information about Cutalong at Tributer Resort, please visit Tributer.com.

About Reef Capital Partners:

Reef Capital Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development, and operations firm dedicated to enhancing communities through transformative and impactful projects across North America. Reef creates a sense of belonging to something extraordinary by delivering unforgettable experiences that endure for generations.

Signature developments include Black Desert Resort, a 600-acre luxury destination in Greater Zion featuring a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, curated residences, and premier events like PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour tournaments, and Marcella Club, home to exclusive communities with a Tiger Woods-designed championship golf course and world-class amenities. Reef’s portfolio also includes Red Mountain Resort, Coco Palms Resort, Main and Sky, Sweetens Cove, Cutalong at Tributer Resort, and Boardwalk Hotel at Lake Anna, showcasing the firm’s commitment to innovative design, sustainability, and community impact.

By aligning investment expertise with development vision, Reef Capital Partners is reshaping the future of luxury living, hospitality, and recreation. Learn more at www.reefcp.com.

Media Contacts: Cutalong-Tributer Resort – Joe Walsh, Project Director, Reef email: joe.walsh@reefcp.com

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

NGF Short Game: Golf’s State-of-Industry In 3 Minutes

Kevin Frisch February 4, 2026

Golf News

More people are playing more golf in more ways than any time in history. The metrics of our game are getting their own “mic drop” moment.

Momentum across the recreational side of the U.S. golf industry remained broadly positive in 2025, and indicators continue to point to sustainability in both participation and play.

This trajectory, which began even before the pandemic, has now settled into a recalibrated, higher baseline for the game – perspective that’s highlighted in NGF’s newest industry overview. The annual Graffis Report, named after NGF’s founders, is available to current (and new… please join!) members HERE.

Green-grass golf participation surpassed 29 million in 2025 (all-time record is 30.6 million in 2003), marking an eighth consecutive year of growth and a net increase of roughly one million golfers YOY. Over the past eight years, on-course participation has risen by over five million, reinforcing that this is not a short-term COVID bump but a broader, lifestyle-driven shift toward experiences that deliver social connection, time outdoors, and physical, mental and emotional well-being.

There is a renewed appreciation for the holistic benefits of the green-grass game, and tens of millions of Americans now recognize golf’s public health benefit as one of the ultimate wellness activities — combining exercise, stress relief, challenge, self-improvement and community in a uniquely accessible outdoor setting.

Total golf participation (on-course and off-course, using a real club and ball with a full swing) climbed to an all-time high, fueled by both traditional play and the continued expansion of technology-enabled ranges, simulators and entertainment venues. These off-course formats are proving to be powerful entry points that complement, rather than replace, the green-grass game.

NGF members can explore the full set of participation, play, supply, development, equipment and retail trends in our holistic look at the U.S. golf industry and its key performance indicators. The Graffis Report includes a concise one-page “leaderboard” of the game’s vital signs, along with deeper analysis and context.

Among the notable takeaways:

On-course participation at its highest level since the Tiger Woods–aided peak era of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and total participation (on-course and off) is up 50% over the past decade to more than 48M.
National Rounds Played reached another all-time record, the fourth time in five years — achieved with roughly 2,000 fewer facilities than existed during that previous participation peak two decades ago
More than 8 million women and girls now playing on course, an all-time high, and a 46% increase compared to 2019 (pre-COVID)
Record levels of diversity across golf’s participation base, with unprecedented on-course representation among Females (28%) and People of Color (26%)
Roughly two-thirds of ‘green-grass’ beginners enter the game with ‘off-course’ experience
With approximately 15,900 courses at nearly 14,000 facilities, the U.S. maintains its position as the world’s largest golf market
Continued strength in demand and facility utilization support healthier economics and golf course spending on infrastructure and supplies, with nearly 70% of operators rating their financial condition as “good” or “excellent”
Normalization of public pricing power, with average 18-hole fee up roughly 29% since 2019, which is broadly in line with cumulative U.S. inflation

Overall, today’s golf economy is broader, more inclusive and more resilient than at any time in the modern era, supported by a multi-channel ecosystem that introduces millions to the game while reinforcing the central role of the golf course as the industry’s front door.

About

Founded in 1936, the National Golf Foundation is a dynamic membership organization supported and trusted by thousands of golf related businesses and individuals who rely on NGF to provide the most up-to-date, accurate and objective insights on the state of the game and business of golf. It is the only trade association for everyone in the golf business, advocating for growth by educating and connecting its members. NGF is also the leading marketing services provider in golf, leveraging a database of 2.5 million golfers and the industry’s most comprehensive worldwide database of golf facilities. Additionally, NGF’s research arm works with individual companies to help them better understand their markets and grow their businesses. If you’re not among the hundreds of businesses that help support NGF’s ongoing research efforts through membership, we invite you to join the community.

Media Contacts: National Golf Foundation – Erik Matuszewski, Editorial Director email: erikm@ngf.org

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR