If you play golf, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to participate in a charity golf event of some sort during your lifetime. Golf is a tremendously social sport that helps bring people together and golf outings can be a highly beneficial tool to help raise money for charitable organizations.
According to a recent report from GOLF 20/20, which is a collaboration of leading organizations representing all segments of the United States golf industry, the game of golf’s charitable impact is $3.9 billion. This number includes an estimated 12,000 golf facilities, 143,000 events, 12 million participants and an average of $26,300 raised per function.
The report also estimates the entire golf industry’s economic impact at $68.8 billion in 2011. This number includes several core segments such as golf facility operations, golf course capital investment, golfer supplies, tournaments and associations, charities and enabled categories such as real estate, hospitality and tourism.
According to the report, the golf business generated 1.98 million jobs in 2011, producing over $55.6 billion in wage income earned by employees of these businesses. Over 25.7 million golfer participated in the game at 15,751 traditional golf facilities.
“The economy has endured two significant recessions the past decade and golf has fared well,” says Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, administrator of GOLF 20/20. “The health and growth of the game has a direct bearing on jobs, commerce, economic development and tax revenues for U.S. communities and industries.”
Golf’s core industries alone exceed the economic impact of spectator sports, the performing arts, and the amusement and recreation industries.