Golf bounces back in November after tough October

Golf rounds in November were up considerably over 2008 figures nationally, but still not enough to completely offset dramatic declines in October due to poor weather.

However, golf is still down just one percent nationally for the year, outperforming most other major businesses and industries throughout the nation, according to industry watchdog The Pellucid Report.

Golf Playable Hours (GPH) were up 36 percent for the United States in November versus November of 2008.

"November's weather results will probably go down in history as "a lot but too late" for most geographies," said Pellucid president Jim Koppenhaver. "I'll be surprised frankly if we see rounds increases in excess of 10 percent for the month nationally which will produce another drop in utilization.  It's not that we're bad operators, it's just that great weather that late into the season for the northern climates has not historically been rewarded by golfers with significant increases in play.  

"Part of the reason is increased competition for weekend interest (i.e. college and pro football, school activities etc.) and I suspect the other is just apathy and fatigue (or both). "

"The summary good news however is that, with 11 months behind us and only trailing 2008 by 1 percent in rounds demand at the national level, golf will outperform most every other U.S. industry with topline volume results that aren't down by double-digits."

"Consistent with our client trends, PGA PerformanceTrak's October Year-To-Date Executive Summary continues to show a 5 percent decline in Median Golf Fee Revenue driven by a 3 percent decrease in Median Golf Fee Revenue per Round (rate) and slightly negative rounds demand (volume). The Resort segment continues to be the hardest hit on volume, rate and revenue measures showing down 5 percent, 9 percent and 14 percent respectively.