Florida still may be one of the top-tier golf destinations in the country — with more courses (1,100) and industry workers (132,500) than anywhere else — but the number of rounds played in some destinations in that state dipped during the first quarter of 2017.
The Orlando area saw a 7 percent dip, while the number of rounds played in the Naples/Ft. Meyers area dropped 2 percent, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. Jacksonville’s number of rounds jumped 16 percent, though, and the Palm Beach market notched a resounding 24 percent increase.
California boasts more than 920 golf courses and 128,000 total jobs in the golf industry, but enjoys a greater annual economic impact than Florida, with $13.1 billion.
In an effort to boost economic impact numbers and total rounds played, golf officials are attempting to attract more millennials. Currently, the National Golf Foundation estimates there are more than six million millennials who play approximately 90 million rounds of golf every year and spend $5 billion on the sport.
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