Jacksonville golf scene evolves amid national industry resurgence
THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE IS FOR PREMIUM MEMBERS
Jacksonville's golf landscape is changing as the sport enjoys renewed popularity across the nation, with more people hitting the links than in recent memory
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.
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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 Jacksonville.
Florida's counties are on divergent paths. St. Johns leads in income and home values, while Nassau shows explosive payroll growth. Duval and Pinellas saw wage gains despite business declines. Flagler and Clay lost major ground in employers and jobs. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade and Orange show steady, broad-based growth. The graphic captures a decade of shifting economic momentum across the state.
Toughest Golf Courses - Men's Back Tee
Slope rating
Rank Prior Rank Property
1
1
110 TPC Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
2
2
30 Ave. Royale, Palm Coast, Florida
3
3
10034 Golf Club Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida View this list
Toughest Golf Courses - Women's Back Tee
Slope rating
Rank Prior Rank Property
1
1
30 Ave. Royale, Palm Coast, Florida
2
2
110 TPC Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
3
3
10034 Golf Club Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida View this list
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