Following up on last month’s record sales, largely powered by golfers—both those experienced and new to the game—devouring balls, irons, wedges and gloves, August brought continued success after the industry had a very challenging February, March and April (which tend to be big months in advance of the start of Golf season).
Specifically, Golf Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer and trade trends, announced that U.S. retail Golf Equipment sales for August 2020 were up nearly 32% over the same period in 2019, exceeding the previous all-time high August (2006) by 15%.
“Golf Datatech started tracking golf equipment sales in 1997 and we have never seen a surge like what has happened in the summer of 2020, coming out of the worldwide shutdown from COVID-19,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech, LLC.
“While the overall 2020 U.S. retail golf equipment market is still down 4.1 % YTD from 2019, this spike is nothing short of remarkable considering the game and business of golf was shut down for a good part of the spring season.”
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U.S. golf retail equipment sales for August 2020 were $331 million, which shattered the prior year (August 2019, with $251 million in total sales) and the previous record August (August 2006, at $287 million). Five equipment categories set all-time records for August: balls, irons, wedges, bags and gloves. Notably, golf bags were the best performing equipment category in August, up 55% vs. August 2019, while YTD bag sales are up 5%.
Krzynowek adds, “The August sales record, which followed an all-time record month in July, is great news for the industry moving forward. It indicates how popular golf is today, especially as an ideal social distancing activity. Newcomers are coming into the game, existing golfers are playing much more, and those who once played but left for a while are returning, which is the perfect combination to drive rounds played and spike equipment sales at retail.”
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Hopefully the golf equipment industry can look forward to another record setting month in September, particularly with the U.S. Open Championship and upcoming, once-in-a-lifetime fall Masters. Furthermore, we can hope that the strong, end-of-year push can help golf stores, courses, instructors, etc. rebound from the loss of business earlier in the year so they can be there for all golfers going forward.
