Golf Facility Operations

New York boasts a thriving golf landscape, with 742 facilities operating 833 golf courses statewide. The golf facility economy includes all revenues generated from green fees, cart fees, membership fees and initiation fees, plus ancillary golf course purchases such as merchandise, food and beverage, banquets and other revenue. The revenue collected from these sources is assumed to be the basis for all expenditures required to operate the facility.

Facilities range from 9-hole municipal courses to expansive multi-course private clubs, offering diverse recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. New York also features 47 stand-alone driving ranges, including 1 Topgolf location.

New York Golf Courses:
Connecting the State Across Every Region

Golf lives in all 10 regions of New York - woven into culture, landscapes, and community pride. From city skyscrapers and coastal beaches to rolling hills, farms, vineyards, and waterfalls - golf strengthens regional identity while connecting every region across the Empire State with a game that is meant for all.

Note: Course data based on NGF statewide totals (833 courses, 742 facilities, circa 2023); distributed across ten regions using county-level association data, golf directories/tourism reports, and population/course density patterns. Figures are estimates reflecting multi-course complexes, local reporting, and known concentrations in metro and resort areas.

There were 1.6 million on-course golfers in 2023, an increase of 3.8% versus 2022. New York golf courses hosted a total of 18.2 million rounds in 2023, an increase of 10.3% year-over-year. This volume is strong given the state’s climate and golf season. 

Golf facility operations generated approximately $3.2 billion in direct revenues in 2023; this represents a 38% increase over 2007 after adjusting for inflation. This revenue supported 48,464 total jobs statewide.

The average revenue from green, cart and membership fees in the state was $117.47 per round of golf, plus additional revenue from ancillary items such as F&B ($39.12) and golf shop merchandise ($11.89).

Facility Types & Accessibility

Public facilities account for approximately 72% of all New York golf facilities, while private clubs represent 28%. Among public courses:

History of Accessibility

New York golf facilities offer broad public access, and a notably higher share of municipal courses at 153 - ranking fourth in the nation, reinforcing golf’s accessibility across urban and rural communities. The New York State Parks Department leads the country with 19 courses, while New York City’s Parks Department is fifth with 13.

Economic Contribution and Broader Impact

Facility operations remain the foundation of New York’s overall golf economy, anchoring activities across tourism, retail, and real estate sectors. Each $1 spent on facility operations generated approximately $1.9 in total economic activity, amplifying the industry’s broader contribution statewide. Through facility operations alone, golf continues to serve as a powerful economic engine and an enduring pillar of recreation and community in New York.

Approach

What is assessed

Golf facility revenue encompasses all receipts generated by operations, including green fees, cart rentals, membership dues, and initiation fees. It also includes ancillary sales such as merchandise, food and beverage, banquets, and other on-site purchases. Collectively, these revenues form the basis for covering all expenditures required to operate the facility.

How it’s measured

Golf facility revenue data comes from the 2023 New York Golf Facility Survey conducted by Radius, which collected and extrapolated reported revenues across seven ownership structures of facilities (n=148). Revenues include on-site driving ranges as well as estimated revenue for 47 stand-alone ranges in the state, including a Topgolf facility. The total number of facilities and courses was benchmarked against National Golf Foundation data. These revenue figures were then applied to RIMS II input-output modeling to calculate jobs, indirect impacts, and induced impacts.

Local and National Treasure: Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course

As the nation’s first public golf course, Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx opened in 1895 and expanded to 18 holes by 1899 — a trailblazer in democratizing the sport. Located along mass transit lines, “Vanny” remains the heart of urban golf, connecting generations to the game’s inclusive legacy.