6/15/2021

Many people tied to the golf industry in 2020 witnessed a larger increase in participation in rounds. This was due in large to the golf industry as a whole setting itself apart early, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an alternative form of exercise/entertainment where social distancing could be maintained. The participation gained came from several different sectors of the industry, and the on-course participation saw its largest net gain in nearly 17 years.

The off-course participation of golfers nearly doubled in 2020, with several million people participating in off course golf activities that include driving ranges, putting courses, and entertainment venues like Top Golf. The total participation in golf course activities fell just shy of thirty-seven million people. The participation breakdown was split almost equally between on course participation, on and off course participation, and exclusively off course participation.

National Golf Foundation’ (CEO & President) Joe Beditz email article: May 6, 2021

In addition to participation in the golf industry increasing in 2020, overall rounds of golf increased significantly as well. The overall golf rounds played was up nearly fourteen percent from 2019, with a total of five hundred million rounds played. The private golf club sector across the country saw an increase close to 20% in 2020, and the public sector (which include resorts/hotels) had an increase of over 12% in golf rounds.

The airline/travel industry as it relates to golf was hit hard with the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Although 2021 is looking up as passenger occupancy at U.S. airports sits currently at approximately sixty percent of the of the 2019 numbers, and trends are increasing exponentially over February and March numbers. As the pandemic restrictions continue to ease up, and more people receive the vaccination the numbers of golfers heading to golf destinations will increase in 2021.

You couple all this information with the fact that there was a decreased amount of golf course closures in 2020 compared to 2019, and you have the foundation for a continued upward trend for the golf industry in 2021.

With twenty-four locations throughout the United States, nearly ten thousand customers, a hundred and fifteen sales reps, and four hundred and thirty-three employee owners, we at Harrell’s are well-equipped to serve YOUR needs, our valued customers in the golf course industry for 2021 and beyond! In addition, we offer everyone in the golf industry a full array of proprietary products including the Bio-MAX®, SprayMAX®, HydroMAX®, and ProtectMAX® product lines.

Some of the most popular products in the Harrell’s portfolio include our Root Enhancer, EarthMAX® Organic, as well as our most popular wetting agent, Fleet®. Harrell’s is also the largest distributor in sales across the United States, for the golf market, of the following branded chemical products: Syngenta, Bayer, and BASF.

Lastly as the sole worldwide producer and distributor of POLYON® Controlled-Release Fertilizer, Harrell’s has set the company apart from the competition with the number one controlled-release fertilizer technology on the market. With POLYON®s proven track record of a consistent release across all soil and temperature conditions, the golf industry can feel confident in knowing that they are utilizing the best granular fertilizer available to them.

As our nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic the golf industry is looking for continued success throughout 2021 and beyond. Let Harrell’s be your provider for anything and everything maintenance on the golf course here in 2021 and beyond.

Cited References: National Golf Foundation’ (CEO & President) Joe Beditz email article: May 6, 2021