In honor of National Golf Day (April 16), and despite the fact that golf is temporarily on hold pending a change in Mother Nature’s current stance on spring, we are extolling a few of the economic, health and environmental benefits of the game:
Economic: Golf is a nearly $70 billion industry, providing nearly 2 million jobs and total wage income of $55.6 billion. In Minnesota, the golf industry accounts for 34,653 jobs and $776.7 million in wage income. The local golf industry ($1.2 billion in direct economic input) is on par with other industries like dairy, printed circuitry, and accounting, tax and payroll services.
Charity: Golf’s national charitable impact was $3.9 billion in 2011— more than 12 million people participated in 143,000 golf-related charity events at 12,000 different golf facilities. In Minnesota, golf accounts for $52.4 million in charitable giving. Last year, the 3M Championship celebrated $20 million in fund raising over the last two decades.
Health: Walking 18 holes of golf is the same as taking a five mile walk or running 3.5 miles – well in excess of the 10,000 steps recommended for daily exercise. You burn about 2,000 calories when you walk and 1,300 when you use a cart – and your blood glucose levels fall anywhere from 10 to 30 percent.
Environment: Golf is now on the leading edge of environmental sustainability and stewardship efforts. Golf courses account for two million acres of green space across the country, which are home to a vast array of wildlife species. New, industry-wide principles on sustainability ensure continual improvement in the design, development, construction, and management of golf courses.
Golfers need little encouragement to get out and play, but isn’t nice to know that there are healthful, economic and social benefits for when we do?
Sources: The Minnesota Golf Economy, pub. 2007 by the Minnesota Golf Association, Golf 20/20 and SRI International.