Economy Niggles Impact Golf Sales

US July 2024 Total Retail Sales (On-Off Course)

On-Off Course July ’24 vs ’23: Dollars -5.6%
On-Off Course July ’24 vs ’19: Dollars +42.4%

On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’23:  Dollars -1.1%
On-Off Course YTD ’24 vs ’19: Dollars +35.7%

Sales of golf equipment hit a rough patch in July 2024, impacted by less than ideal weather (hot and wet) and a general malaise that continues to hang over the US economy, even though overall economic data remains relatively positive.  Golf sales were able to remain at highly elevated levels for several years after the spike created by the pandemic, however it appears the market is softening, and the back half of the year may prove extremely challenging.

Summary Results

Wedges were the only product category where sales were higher in July 2024 than in the same month in 2023, while balls were just about level, and all other categories were significantly lower.

Shoes (-17%) and distance devices (-12%) were down the most for the month vs. 2024.

Even though sales slowed in July, equipment sales remain down just over -1% YTD, and up +35.7% vs, 2019,