Ohio's golf industry loses clubs and increases payroll
The state of the golf industry in Ohio mimics national trends. The local golf industry experienced losses in clubs while payroll rises. Find out more in this week's cover story.
In the years following the Great Recession, the golf industry fell off its game in a big way.
More than 2,000 golf facilities closed. Participation slipped from its previously lofty heights. Country clubs also felt the heat, with many closing as they struggled to keep pace with rising expenses.
Then, the pandemic hit.
While Covid-19 caused financial challenges for many sectors, it sparked a turnaround for the golf industry.
The National Golf Foundation found that, after decades of shrinking, the number of courses in the United States actually grew overall since 2022 — albeit by only six facilities and 17 courses. The biggest gains have been on the participation side, with NGF data showing 28.1 million Americans playing on a golf course in 2024 — the most since 2008.
Now, instead of cutting costs and gradually being swamped by growing capital costs and rising expenses, many country clubs and golf courses are seeing surpluses, which are being used to help course-correct after lean years, according to industry watchers.
Here's a look at how the golf industry has evolved in the Dayton region.
Ohio golf score: The county scorecard and what it's telling us
Dive into the county-by-county breakdown of Greater Dayton's Census data on establishments, employees and payroll and additional chatter on what the numbers are saying.
The Dayton region mimicked statewide trends, with total clubs falling from 58 in 2012 to 44 (-24%). Employees fell from 1,100 in 2012 to 1,000 (-7%) while payroll went up from a combined $29,800 to $35,300 (18%). The average pay per employee increased slightly from an average $30,800 to $32,728 (6%).
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County data on establishments, employees, payroll and average pay for an employee.
Dayton Business Journal
The state of the state's golf sector
Ohio's country club's saw a shrinkage in total clubs but an increase in payroll for their employees.
While the number of country clubs shrank, the combined statewide payroll for country club employees grew. Total country club employees also saw a slight decline.
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Statewide data on country clubs, employees and payroll
Dayton Business Journal
How Ohio compares
Ohio has more country clubs than Kentucky and Indiana. Despite having fewer establishments than Michigan, Ohio's country club market employs more people.
While the number of country club establishments and employment dropped in all four states, payroll hiked.
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Data on states bordering Ohio
Dayton Business Journal
Dayton's Most Expensive Country Clubs
Initiation fee: Family plan
Rank Prior Rank Club
1
1
Wetherington Golf and Country Club
2
2
Country Club of the North
3
3
Sycamore Creek Country Club View this list
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