The United States golf industry was in a good place before the COVID-19 crisis and after lockdown, the sport is also reaping the benefits of being a social distance-friendly activity.
As golf courses around the United States continue to reopen, golf equipment dollar sales grew by 51% in June compared to the same month last year, building off of the market’s 22% growth in May, according to The NPD Group.
The golf industry was trending positively entering the pandemic; annual sales were up 5% and 7% in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and 15% in January and February 2020 combined compared to the year prior, before the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns suppressed sales.
“The golf industry was in a good place before the COVID-19 crisis, largely due to a surge of retirees entering the market, and in May we started to see this health returning. Today’s growth is driven by new players as well as pent-up demand from the closures of physical golf retail stores and golf courses. The sport is also reaping the benefits of being a social distance-friendly activity,” said Matt Powell, NPD’s sports industry advisor.
Sales of full set golf clubs rose by 68% in June and golf balls were up 45%, a trend that Powell suggests is tied to new, entry-level players joining the activity. Glove sales increased by 51% for the month, and tees grew by 49%.
Training aids – specifically golf nets and screens, and swinging and putting mats – is an area of the market that fared exceptionally well during the lockdown months and continues to perform well year-to-date. A source of physical activity during lockdown and an opportunity for golfers to play or practice the sport sans courses or driving ranges, these products saw their fastest sales growth of the year in March and April, up more than 140%. Sales grew 78% in June.
