Golf 20/20
California Golf Economic Study
The California Alliance for Golf commissioned Golf 20/20 to conduct an Economic Impact Study for the State of California.
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Golf Industry Study Overview
With 926 courses and a large number of annual golf events, golf in the Golden State is more than an enjoyable pastime-it is a key industry contributing to the vitality of California's economy. In 2006, the size of California's direct golf economy was approximately $6.9 billion. Golf brings visitors to the state, drives new construction and residential development, generates retail sales, and creates demand for a myriad of goods and services. When the total economic impact of these golf-related activities is considered, California's golf industry generated approximately $15.1 billion of direct, indirect and induced economic output, $4.8 billion of wage income and nearly 160,000 jobs in 2006.
California's highly diversified economy includes a range of manufacturing industries (aerospace; computers and electronics; composite materials; etc.), service industries (health care; management; professional, technical and scientific; etc.); and agricultural industries. With $6.9 billion in revenues in 2006, the golf industry is on par with several other important industries in the state: biotechnology research & development (R&D) ($4.6 billion), wineries ($8.2 billion), and semiconductor and related device manufacturing ($10.9 billion).
While many state-level economic studies surrounding the game of golf have been conducted across the country over the last several years, no comprehensive, standardized framework has been employed in these studies. This has made it difficult to monitor a state's industry growth over time, and to make state-to-state or regional comparisons. SRI International and GOLF 20/20 are currently working with key golf stakeholders in several states, including California, to bring consistency to the industry measurement and reporting process. This report describes and analyzes California's golf industry including the revenues and economic impact generated by the industry. Such analysis will assist California's industry stakeholders in raising awareness of the impact of golf to state and local policymakers.
There are many potential uses for such an analysis:
- Defining the range of core and enabled industries associated with the game of golf
- Clearly articulating, for policymakers, the employment and revenue-generating contributions of the golf industry to the state economy
- Building credibility and recognition of the golf industry as a significant business sector and a driver of economic activity in the state
