Company Reports Rounds Played At Record High Levels For 2012


Golf Datatech, LLC has announced that rounds played in 2012 have increased significantly and are trending towards record-high levels for the year. The trending growth in rounds played - at levels not previously experienced since 2006 - are backed by findings that show consistent, favorable weather conditions throughout the country, based on reports provided by Weather Trends, International.

"For the first nine months of 2012, Golf Rounds Played throughout the U.S. are at an all-time high in terms of percentage increase, up 7.5 percent over 2011," said Golf Datatech's Tom Stine. "This is the largest jump in rounds played since we began tracking them in 1999. With the weather data from Weather Trends, International, it is easy to conclude that favorable temperatures and low precipitation throughout the year has been the biggest contributing factor. However, we also hope that the golf industry's 'grow the game' efforts are beginning to pay dividends and play a part in this noteworthy increase."

Stine adds: "It's sadly ironic that these findings have come out just as the Northeast was hit with a devastating hurricane that has impacted so many individuals personally, while causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools and leisure facilities, such as golf courses. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the storm."

In spite of Hurricane Sandy, full-year data on the entire country, including the Northeast, speaks very positively for the entire golf industry. Key findings in the study include:

• The East North Central region, which includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, has reported a 13.4 percent increase in rounds played year-to-date, the most significant increase in the country. The average temperature has increased by 4.2 degrees as compared to 2011, while the precipitation has decreased 31 percent.

• In the South Atlantic region - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Maryland - rounds played increased only 3.7 percent as compared to 2011, which demonstrates the smallest increase in the country. The average temperature increase was only 1 degree as compared to 2011, and there was no change in the amount of precipitation.

For more information about national rounds played or other Golf Datatech reports, call 888/944-4116 or visit www.golfdatatech.com.