Golf Datatech

Golf sales were able to remain at highly elevated levels for several years after the spike created by the pandemic. However, it appears the market is softening and the back half of 2024 may prove extremely challenging. For more results from July's equipment sales, plus commentary, visit =>> https://bit.ly/Julyequip #Retail #marketresearch #retailsales #golfbusiness

July 2024 retail sales of golf apparel continue to lag behind 2023 levels, with both the On and Off course channels down. On-Off Course July ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -7.1% On-Off Course July ’24 vs ’19: Dollars 53.8% Fore more results and commentary, visit =>> https://bit.ly/Julyapparel #golfbusiness #golf #retailsales #marketresearch

The latest Golf Datatech National Rounds Played Report with results for July 2024 is published this week, with year over year results for eight regions, all states and several metropolitan areas. US rounds were down -1.4% for the month and up 1.3% YTD when compared to July 2023. Rounds played suffered a slight setback in July as unusually high precipitation combined with heat and humidity to make it difficult to play the game in broad sections of the country. The only regions with significantly improved rounds were New England ( 6.6%) and the Mid-Atlantic ( 1.7%), while the South Atlantic (-6.0%), South Central (-4.2%) and Pacific (-4.0%) all slogged thru an extremely wet month. On the latest news, our co-founder John Krzynowek said, “On a YTD basis, rounds are still 1.3% higher thru July than they were a year ago, leaving total rounds significantly higher than they were pre-pandemic, with no significant downturn visible on the horizon.” For more insights, or to register your golf course to take part in our rounds played analysis, visit our website. #roundsplayed #golfbusiness #marketresearch

Following up on our highly acclaimed Custom Fitting Study in 2023, we are delighted to release a new, updated, and even more insightful look into the fastest growing segment of the golf club category. The 2024 Evolution of Custom Fitting in the USA is the 10th edition, dating all the way back to 2001, and follows the expansion of this highly competitive segment of the golf club market. CLUB FITTING MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER While club sales weakened during the first six months of 2024, custom fitting remains a critical component of the purchasing process. Almost 80% of Serious Golfers indicated they’ve been fit at some point during their golfing lives, and close to 90% of those who have previously been fit plan to be fit for their next purchase. Clearly, club fitting is here to stay, and brands and retailers who provide an excellent experience will benefit. THE FITTER REMAINDS CRITICAL With so many golfers being fit, and there being more locations than ever before available to offer this service, the human connection remains essential to successful execution. Almost every fitting today includes a digital experience, some more elaborate than others, however everyone is conducted by a professional fitter, and that fitter is the most important part of the fitting process by the golfer. It’s a combination of expertise in the process, knowledge of the various components and equipment, and the ability to communicate with the golfer, engendering confidence in the outcome.  This is a continuation of a trend seen in prior waves, emphasizing that well trained, personable fitters who can think on their feet and control the process, are essential to creating a happy golfer who will come back in the future to be fit again and again. WHO BUILDS BETTER CLUBS? ... The brands who design them, or the Custom Club Fitting Specialist brands that both fit and build? This is a topic of great interest to the golf community, and one we dive into for the first time in 2024. While most golfers, who have been fit, believe both entities are very capable of building a quality set of clubs to their specifications, there are indications that one of the segments is doing a better job convincing consumers about their abilities than the other. To find the answer to that question as well as much more, visit our dedicated page here =>> https://lnkd.in/gDv-dziF or contact us at [email protected] to purchase the study. #customfitting #golfequipment #marketanalysis #marketresearch #consumerinsights #golfbusiness

The latest Golf Datatech National Rounds Played Report, with results for June 2024, is published this week with year over year results for eight regions, all states and several metropolitan areas. US rounds were were marginally higher in June, up 1.5% for the month and leaving 2.1% on a YTD basis. Even though temperatures were higher than normal, making it uncomfortable to play in many markets, rounds continued to show strength, particularly in the New England, the Mid-Atlantic, Mountain and parts of the East North Central regions. For more commentary, visit our website here https://bit.ly/RPJune2024 #golfbusiness #roundsplayed #marketresearch #golf

The retail sales data for US golf apparel sales for June 2024 is published this week with apparel sales down -1.8% for the month vs June 2023 https://bit.ly/apparelgap #apparel #golfsales #retailbusiness

The US golf retail sales figures are published by us this week, with data for June 2024. In summary, total sales for the month were down -2.6%, and fell into negative territory YTD (-0.2%). US JUNE 2024 TOTAL RETAIL MARKET - On-Off Course June ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -2.6% On-Off Course June ’24 vs ’19: Dollars 33.3% On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -0.2% On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’19: Dollars 34.5% While four of the nine product categories were up in sales for the month, this meant five were down on last year. The largest increases were in the Wedge category ( 8%), which was buoyed by the launch of new models by category leader Titleist/Vokey. The largest declines were in Shoes (-13.5%) and Distance Devices (-11.8%). On the latest results, Golf Datatech co-founder John K. said, “After several months of holding level, golf equipment sales, thru the On and Off Course channels, slipped well into negative territory in June, down -2.6% for the month. June was a very challenging month due to poor weather across many major markets, with intense heat and humidity combining with rain and flooding to create a difficult environment for getting out on the links and teeing it up. While no one likes to blame the weather for business slowdowns, June of ’24 definitely felt a heavy negative impact”. More on our website here www.golfdatatech.com #marketresearch #golfequipment #retailsales

IN THIS ISSUE | 06.27.2024 ClubWorks: Adds Buffalo Groupe to portfolio Ahead: Unveils spring/summer 2025 lines Golf Datatech: Rounds holds steady despite weather Golf Datatech: Steady signs for retail sales — — — — — — — Sun Mountain Sports | Uswing Eyewear | THE LPGA FOUNDATION | Desert Highlands Golf Club | National Golf Sales Representative Association | ASSOCIATION OF GOLF MERCHANDISERS | RepSpark

The US women’s golf market is the fastest growing segment domestically, and manufacturers and brands are all attempting to understand how to take advantage of creating and selling products to this new constituency. However, before addressing their needs, marketers and product designers/developers need to identify the current attitudes, needs and opinions of this underserved and underdeveloped market segment. This is where the 2024 Purchasing Power of Women in Golf provides insights into the current mindset of females who are new to the game, those who have played for a long time, good players, high handicaps, Private vs. Public players, by age, by income level, plus much more. Additionally, Golf Datatech uses its unique resources and industry knowledge to project the size of the women’s market at retail (total of $2.14 billion), as well as the various segments, including balls, bags, gloves, shoes, woods, irons, putters, wedges, distance devices and golf apparel sales. Beyond estimating the sale potential of the women’s market, we also investigate: -Attitudes about the general experience of playing the game -Shopping for golf products -Design preferences -Cosmetic preferences For more on this exciting study, or to purchase, visit https://lnkd.in/gnSEUnRb As always, we’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected].

Please read our European Partner, Phil Barnard's latest article, in which he reports on the first five months of 2024. Inside: How have the 20% additional 'rain days' affected sales in the UK, the downturn of club sales, and purchasing cycles. Great insights for everyone working in the golf industry. As always, thoughts and comments very welcome.