How Many Golf Courses are in the US?
The United States is one of the best countries in the world to play golf, and that means that there is a large number of golf courses.
According to my estimation and other sources online (source), the United States has the greatest number of golf courses in the world by far.
The number of golf courses in the United States is actually right around 43% of the golf courses in the world.
With such a large number of golf courses throughout the world, you can assume that the US has a very large number of courses for golfers to pick from.
The quick answer to “how many golf courses are in the US?” is around 15,500.
This number is always changing due to renovations, closings, and new golf courses that are coming onto the scene. It’s tough to really get a definite number for this since there are a lot of golf courses that are private and very under the radar in the US.
That’s why there is no 100% accurate answer. It is all a broad estimate, but it is fairly accurate in my opinion. Our number at 15,500 is an average of all the sources and might be the most accurate number out there.
What Does the Number of Golf Courses in the US Mean?
The question is, is the number of golf courses growing or declining?
The sad news for golf fans is that the number is actually declining. That does not mean that the game of golf is dying in the States, but it does mean that a lot of golf courses are failing in certain areas.
The number of golf courses in the US is on a general decline but it is likely not going to be that noticeable for a long time. The number of golfers is actually increasing in the US but failing golf courses are starting to close their doors and not come back for financial reasons.
The great thing is that the best golf courses in the United States such as Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and many more are as popular as ever. You still will not find any problem finding an incredible golf course to play.
Where are Most of the Golf Courses in the US?
Now that you know around how many golf courses there are in the US, maybe you want to know where the majority of courses are at.
Well, I can tell you that states that have a colder climate and not fit for golf do not have too many golf courses. Places like North Dakota, Alaska, and Maine do not have nearly as many golf courses as most states.
The places with a lot of golf courses are Florida, Texas, California, Ohio, and New York. The state with the most golf courses is actually Florida
It is a general rule that the warmer a state’s climate, the more golf courses it has. Also, the population of the state plays a major role in that as well. States like New Mexico have a climate for golf, but the population is small, so it does not have the same number as Florida.
Hopefully, the warmer climate states will continue to grow the game and increase how many golf courses are in the US. The more golf courses in the United States the better in my opinion!
The financials for a golf course are tough to get under control and the lack of demand in certain areas is really killing some golf courses. Hopefully, the next generation develops the love for this beautiful game to save the courses.
I am curious, do you think that the number of golf courses in the United States will start to increase or decrease? If so, how many golf courses will be in the United States?
I personally think that the number will continue to decrease very gradually. I do think that there is a bottom number that we will hit in golf courses in the States before the decline stops. Whether that is 12,000 or 10,000, your guess is as good as mine!
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Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.