A summary of the direct economic impact of golf on the State of Maine is shown below
CORE INDUSTRIES
126,000 Individual Golfers
Golf is enjoyed by approximately 126,000 individual Maine golfers over the age of 6 , and these golfers played approximately 1.6 million rounds in 2023 . The State hosted an additional 574,000 + rounds played by visitors to Maine , many of whom come from large out-of-state New England cities like Boston , Providence , Hartford , and New York .
128 Golf Facilities
The State has a total of 128 golf facilities ( 116 public and 12 private ), plus 6 stand-alone driving ranges and at least 13 other “ golf entertainment ” venues ( mostly indoor simulators , independent from golf facilities ). There are 6 golf facilities connected to residential real estate and / or resorts with real estate in the state .
$ 146.7M Total Consumer Spending
Total consumer spending at golf facilities for categories such as green fees , cart fees , member / passholder dues , initiation fees , range fees , golf shop merchandise and food / beverage sales , exceeded $ 146.7 million in 2023 , an amount that is about 33.7 % higher than the estimate from the University of Maine study for 2011 ($ 109.7 million ), despite there being 16 fewer golf courses ( 144 counted for 2011 report ). Golf facility operations supported 4,285 jobs ( both part-time and full-time ).
$ 18.0M Capital Investments
In 2023 , Maine golf facilities invested more than $ 18 million in capital improvements for golf course renovations / enhancements and repairing or replacing structures , supporting close to 134 additional jobs . An estimated 47 % of Maine golf facilities began or continued large-scale capital projects in 2023 that were not funded out of regular operating expenses .
10 Golf Associations & Tournaments
$ 55.5M Gross Retail Sales
Maine retailers earned a $ 24.3 million margin on $ 55.7 million of gross retail sales of golf balls , bags , gloves , clubs , shoes , apparel and other equipment in 2023 . Of this volume of gross sales , $ 42.2 million came from off-course retail outlets ( including online ). The remaining $ 13.5 +/ - million came from “ green grass ” pro shops ( included in total golf consumer facility spending noted above ).
Maine is home to 10 separate golf associations , including Maine Golf , which support the state ’ s golfers by running championships , overseeing a scholarship fund , providing handicapping and course rating services , and promoting junior golf for the next generation . The total revenue generated from these Maine golf associations and foundations was $ 1.3 million in 2023 . Drive Fore Kids Celebrity Pro-Am contributed ~$ 2.2 million to the Maine economy .
119 Golf-related Companies
Maine is also home to 119 other companies who provide golf products and services , including development , turf , golf cart distribution , manufacturing , and other general services . Among those with significant operations in the State are Pride Golf Manufacturing , Inc ., and Belted Cow . The direct economic contribution attributable to golf from these companies totaled nearly $ 96.8 million in 2023 , supporting 785 jobs in the state .
$ 4.9M Raised for Charities
Charitable golf events hosted at golf facilities in Maine serve as important fundraisers for state and local charitable organizations . The most significant of these include the $ 100,000 raised for Drive for Kids at Falmouth CC and about $ 850,000 ( cumulative ) raised for various events hosted at Boothbay Harbor Golf Resort , including causes and charities like Barabra Bush Hospital , Food Bank of Maine , Clifford Park , and Autism . NGF estimates that golf facilities in Maine hosted approximately 668 separate charitable golf events to raise as much as $ 4.9 million for various charities and causes in the state .
The Contributions of Golf to the State of Maine | 2023 Impact Report 8