When requested to call the perfect places for golf within the U.S., golf obsessives may level to resort cities like Palm Desert, Hilton Head, or Naples, or maybe to larger cities full of programs like Scottsdale or Las Vegas. Many severe golfers dream of enjoying their method by means of the handfuls of programs that every of those locales provide. However whereas few communities can stack up in opposition to the bounty of prime programs in these golf-loving cities, golfers can nonetheless discover wonderful locations to play all through the nation.
Having golf-friendly places all through the U.S. is vital for producing and sustaining widespread curiosity within the sport—and these days, this curiosity has been rising rapidly. Golf skilled a nationwide improve in recognition through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and hasn’t slowed down since. In response to the Nationwide Golf Basis, rounds performed in 2021 have been up 5% over 2020 and 19% over the three-year common from 2017 to 2019. A document 3.2 million individuals performed for the primary time in 2021.
This improve in recognition has come regardless of the prices related to golf, which generally is a main barrier to entry, from gear to greens charges to membership dues. Golf can already be an costly pastime, however current knowledge means that prices are additionally rising. Membership charges and dues are up by greater than 40% within the final 15 years, whereas greens and visitor charges are up by practically 25% over the identical span. Even the price of a beer or lunch on the snack bar after a spherical is getting dearer, as prices from meals and beverage gross sales are up by greater than a 3rd since 2006.
Past price, nevertheless, a variety of different native circumstances can have an effect on how straightforward it’s for individuals to maintain up with their golf pastime. An individual who lives in an space that isn’t accommodating for golfers shall be far much less prone to check out or keep on with the game.
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Above something, golfers want a spot to play, and never each a part of the U.S. affords equal entry to golf programs and nation golf equipment. The variety of programs in a state is usually correlated with its inhabitants, however some states punch above their weight on this measure. For instance, Michigan ranks 4th within the variety of programs however simply Tenth in inhabitants, whereas neighboring Wisconsin has the Tenth-highest variety of programs regardless of being twentieth in inhabitants. Of all states, Florida boasts essentially the most programs, a determine that outpaces extra populous states like California and Texas.
Having a excessive variety of programs is only one issue that signifies how welcoming a location is for golf fans. Arguably, climate is the only most vital think about making golf extra gratifying for longer parts of the 12 months, with temperate, dry climates being preferable to locations which can be too scorching, chilly, moist, or windy. In relation to climate, it’s the Southwest and West Coast which can be most conducive to {golfing} 12 months spherical. California and Arizona take the highest spots, adopted by New Mexico, Texas, and Nevada.
Golf Exercise Program mixed these and different components to guage the perfect states and cities for golfers. On the state stage, well-known golf locations like Arizona, California, and Florida ranked extremely, boosted by good climate, loads of programs, and frequent skilled occasions. However maybe surprisingly, a number of the prime states on this composite rating are small Midwestern places like Michigan and South Dakota, each of which recurrently host skilled occasions and have excessive concentrations of programs relative to their small populations. Comparable developments maintain on the native stage, the place cities in Arizona, California, and Florida stand out. However there are many different places exterior of those golf-centric states that needs to be on any golfer’s radar.
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The information used on this evaluation is from the U.S. Census Bureau, NOAA, and the PGA Tour. To find out the perfect places for golfers, researchers at Golf Exercise Program calculated a composite rating primarily based on native climate (gentle temperatures and low precipitation), complete PGA Tour occasions up to now 5 years, golf programs and nation golf equipment per capita, and sporting items shops per capita. Solely areas within the contiguous United States have been thought of for the evaluation.
Listed here are the perfect U.S. metropolitan areas for golfers.
Desk of Contents
- The Finest Massive U.S. Metros for Golfers
- Detailed Findings & Methodology
The Finest Massive U.S. Metros for Golfers
15. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- Composite rating: 57.1
- Climate rating: 49.0
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 4
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 1.9
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 4.1
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There’s nothing extra rewarding than stepping as much as the tee field and realizing that you will launch the ball down the center of the green. When you’re attempting to get extra distance (who isn’t?), it is advisable to know these three key components to hitting longer golf drives.
14. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
- Composite rating: 59.8
- Climate rating: 40.4
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 5
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 4.1
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 7.3
13. Richmond, VA
- Composite rating: 61.4
- Climate rating: 44.9
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 5
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 3.3
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.1
12. Dallas-Fort Value-Arlington, TX
- Composite rating: 62.1
- Climate rating: 63.6
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 1
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 1.4
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 4.2
11. Raleigh-Cary, NC
- Composite rating: 62.5
- Climate rating: 48.1
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 5
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.7
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.2
10. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Composite rating: 62.7
- Climate rating: 50.8
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 3
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.1
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 6.6
9. St. Louis, MO-IL
- Composite rating: 64.6
- Climate rating: 47.2
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 2
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 3.4
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.3
8. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Composite rating: 68.1
- Climate rating: 56.2
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 7
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.2
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 6.1
7. Jacksonville, FL
- Composite rating: 69.1
- Climate rating: 59.7
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 2
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.3
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 6.4
6. Rochester, NY
- Composite rating: 70.0
- Climate rating: 46.0
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 1
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 5.7
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.9
5. Los Angeles-Lengthy Seashore-Anaheim, CA
- Composite rating: 70.4
- Climate rating: 97.5
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 4
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 1.1
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 4.7
GIVE IT A TRY
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4. Tulsa, OK
- Composite rating: 72.3
- Climate rating: 52.9
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 1
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 3.6
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 6.2
3. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
- Composite rating: 72.4
- Climate rating: 83.6
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 5
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.1
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 3.8
2. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Composite rating: 79.0
- Climate rating: 79.5
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 7
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.9
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.1
1. Tucson, AZ
- Composite rating: 79.4
- Climate rating: 84.3
- Complete PGA Tour occasions within the final 5 years: 5
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100k residents: 2.9
- Sporting items shops per 100k residents: 5.8
Detailed Findings & Methodology
The information used on this evaluation is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s County Enterprise Patterns, NOAA’s Nationwide Facilities for Atmosphere Info, and the PGA Tour’s Event Schedule. To find out the perfect places for golfers, researchers at Golf Exercise Program calculated a composite rating primarily based on the next components and weights:
- Native climate (40%)
- Complete PGA Tour occasions up to now 5 years (30%)
- Golf programs and nation golf equipment per 100,000 residents (25%)
- Sporting items shops per 100,000 residents (5%)
The climate rating can also be a composite measure that optimizes for each gentle temperatures and low precipitation. Within the occasion of a tie, the placement with extra golf programs and nation golf equipment per capita was ranked greater. To enhance relevance, solely metropolitan areas with not less than 100,000 residents have been included. Moreover, metros have been grouped into cohorts primarily based on inhabitants measurement: small (100,000–349,999), midsize (350,000–999,999), and enormous (1,000,000 or extra). Solely areas within the contiguous United States have been thought of for the evaluation.
