THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GOLF TO

THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

2023 IMPACT

REPORT

ECONOMIC AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Executive

Summary

state and local taxes.

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

$413.0 - State & Local Taxes

In professional golf, Michigan hosted one PGA Tour event (Rocket Mortgage Classic), one PGA Champions Tour event (Ally

Challenge) and two LPGA Tour events (Dow Great Lakes Bay and LPGA Meijer) , plus LPGA’s development tour event the

Epson Tour FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, in 2023. These events generated just under $36.0 million in direct

spending and raised $4.3 million for charity.permanent jobs in the State.

Golf facilities in Michigan raised as much as $104.3 million for charities in 2023, hosting an estimated 4,880 charity golf

events and other non-golf (clubhouse) fundraisers. The most significant of these included large events at American Dunes

GC and Harbor Shores Resort that raised over $1.5 million for charity. In addition, golf facilities donated $4.9M in gift

certificates to non-profit (charitable) organizations in 2023 of free rounds of golf, merchandise, free lessons, high school or

college golf rounds/gifts, etc.). Professional golf events in MI raised another $4.3 million in 2023 and other significant giving

facility spending noted above).

Michigan is also home to 353 other companies who provide golf products and services including development, turf, golf

cart distribution, manufacturing, and other general services. One significant example is the putter grip-maker Super Stroke

headquartered in Wixom. The direct economic contribution attributable to golf from these companies totaled $78.8

million in 2023, supporting at least 3,617 jobs in the state.

CORE INDUSTRIES

In 2023, Michigan golf facilities invested close to $235.2

included in regular operating expenses.

Total consumer spending at golf facilities for items

including initiation fees, member/ passholder dues, green

fees, cart fees, range fees, golf shop merchandise and

food/ beverage sales, exceeded $1.24 billion in 2023, an

amount that is about 8.0% higher than the estimate in

2006 ($1.15 billion), despite 156 fewer golf facilities (709 vs.

865 in the 2006 report). Golf facility operations supported

more than 26,800 jobs (both part-time and full-time).

Michigan Office of Tourism (MOT) A.K.A

Travel Michigan, reported over 125 million

total visitors to Michigan in 2022. NGF

research indicates that about 756,000

overnight trips were made to Michigan

in 2023 by visitors seeking to participate

in golf, plus an additional 1.0 million

WAGES & BENEFITS

Golf continues to be more than just an enjoyable pastime in Michigan, it is a key industry contributing to the overall

economy and quality of life in Michigan. In addition to the economic contribution noted above, there are other

impacts that golf has on the State of Michigan, including:

³ Golf provides upwards of 92,200 acres of professionally managed green space within the State and provides

affordable outdoor recreation to nearly 896,000 Michigan residents. The vast majority of golf facilities in Michigan

surveyed by NGF in 2023 (82%) participated in at least one program for fostering the growth of the game in 2023,

with 79% offering some type of formal junior golf program. Michigan golf courses also report a high level of programs

for disabled golfers, military & veteran golfers and specialized beginner programs like WELCOME2GOLF or Get Golf

Ready. .

³ Michigan has almost 90 separate locations that host an active First Tee program and 92 that offer a Youth on

³ Golf courses can elevate the quality of life in communities in which they are present by helping to improve the health

and well-being of citizens and by providing additional social, youth/family activities and programming. As traditional

golf is not an option for some, golf facilities have introduced other amenities and activities to their offerings, such as

driving ranges, practice facilities, golf simulators, bike/walking trails, bird watching, space for snow/winter sports and

public and/or non-profit meeting space availability.

³ Only about 67% of the total golf course acreage in Michigan is irrigated, with the primary source of irrigation water

coming from ground / well water (42%), surface or run-off (37%), reclaim (7%) and other (14%). Approximately 37%

of Michigan golf courses have had an irrigation audit performed on the property, and of the facilities performing the

audit, 52% have made adjustments within the last few years resulting in an estimated 14% savings in water use.

³ Michigan golf courses have implemented the following environmental impact programs at their golf facility as of

³ Wildlife sanctuary – 10%

are actively

maintained and

of golf facilities provided

at least one program for

fostering the growth of the

game in 2023.

Pesticide Mixing and Loading Pad, Pesticide Handling and Application, Fuel Storage, Equipment Wash

Pad, Emergency Response, Buffer Strips, Green Purchasing, Conservation & Waste Reduction and Irrigation is available

at no cost to any turf manager in the state at MTESP.org. Currently there are 57 facilities registered under the program

covering 26,792 acres.

³ Approximately 49% of Michigan golf courses are aware of the GCSAA’s Michigan Golf Courses Planning Guide and

³ MI facilities were asked to indicate which GCSAA’s Best Management Practices (BMP) they have adopted (or plan

Expanding natural “no mow” areas

Sprinkler upgrades to reduce water use

Are Audubon Certified

Added new wildlife sanctuaries

61,932 acres are actively

maintained and irrigated

courses are responsible

users of water for irrigation,

using predominantly

ground/well water (42%)

or surface / ponds / run-off

water (37%) for irrigation. A

Golf Course Superintendents utilize Integrated pest management (IPM) a science-based approach that combines