Golf in Indiana is stronger than ever and making a huge impact in communities across our state. More than just a favorite pastime or exclusive hobby, it’s a significant driver of jobs, capital investment, tourism spending, and charitable contributions, while also enhancing quality of life and teaching life lessons to youth from all backgrounds.
From Top Golf in Fishers and Back 9 on the southside of Indianapolis, to the more than 400 courses spanning from Evansville to Fort Wayne, the excitement and activity around golf is as strong as it has ever been. During the more than 30 years I have had the pleasure of serving as the executive director of Indiana Golf, the governing body of the sport in the state, I have seen the game ebb and flow and evolve through the Tiger Woods-driven growth and course expansion era of the 1990s to the rise in popularity of disc golf in the 2000s, then more recently to the intentional efforts to make golf more accessible and approachable to traditionally underrepresented groups like women and children of all ages, abilities, and economic means.
It’s through Indiana Golf’s work with programs like First Tee-Indiana that exposes more than 100,000 Hoosier kids each year to the life lessons that golf can teach and Indiana Golf Foundation’s club and course access programs that brings the most meaning to our work.
Our new 2022 Economic Impact Report from the National Golf Foundation puts numbers to what we have always thought to be true — that golf is a significant contributor to our state’s economy, charitable organizations, youth development, and quality of life. About 554,000 Hoosiers play golf and get to enjoy the 37,000 acres of green space the courses provide. More than 80% of Indiana’s golf courses are public access, and more than 80% of them offer junior golf programs, encouraging young people to get outside and stay active. Golf in Indiana is also more accessible and affordable than much of the rest of the country, with opportunities for everyone, at all ages and abilities, to enjoy this sport for a lifetime.
Golf’s total economic impact in Indiana is upwards of $2 billion per year, creating more than 23,300 jobs with $612.6 million of wage income. Additionally, golf contributes more than $50 million to charities and foundations, with more than 80% of Indiana’s golf facilities hosting a combined 3,750 charity events in 2021.
In addition to attracting golfers from across the state, Indiana golf courses are also enhancing the tourism industry, generating $152.9 million in spending across more than 1 million day and overnight trips. People drive to Indiana to golf from cities like Chicago, Dayton, Cincinnati and towns throughout southern Michigan, adding more opportunities to boost Indiana’s economy.
All of these numbers show the ways golf is impacting Indiana in a big way, but I don’t want to discount all of the more subjective ways the sport makes a difference. I learned how to play golf from my father when I was growing up in Columbus, and we made many memories in those years we spent together on the course. I’m sure many other families have had similar experiences, special one-on-one interactions that laid the foundation for a lifelong love of an active, outdoor hobby and character development that comes from spending an enjoyable, yet often frustrating, four hours chasing a little white ball.
With the momentum the sport’s currently experiencing, as well as intentional efforts and opportunities to make the sport accessible to new audiences, I believe the economic impact that golf makes on our state will only continue to grow.
I encourage you to get outside and get involved with a sport that is driving our state into the future.
Mike David grew up in Columbus, played golf at Ball State and has been the executive director of Indiana Golf for more than 30 years. Send comments to [email protected].
