Here in TurfOps Weekly’s home state, Wisconsin, we’re known for a few things that border on legendary. Cheese curds that squeak. Friday fish fries that double as social events. The Green Bay Packers turning Sundays into statewide holidays. But there’s another Wisconsin tradition quietly shaping communities, landscapes, and local economies across the Badger State: golf.
According to the recently released Wisconsin Golf Economic Impact Report, golf generates $6.44 billion in total economic output across Wisconsin and supports 56,595 jobs statewide. Direct economic activity from golf itself totals $3.37 billion, with the industry producing $2 billion in wages and benefits and contributing more than $288 million in state and local taxes.
Those numbers put golf in some impressive company. In fact, the industry’s total economic output exceeds the combined impact of several iconic Wisconsin recreation industries. It turns out that the same state famous for dairy barns and breweries is also home to a remarkably powerful golf economy.
Part of that strength comes from scale. Wisconsin is home to 528 golf courses, including 449 facilities measured in the report, spread across rolling farmland, wooded Northwoods terrain, lakefront dunes, and urban neighborhoods. In 2023 alone, golfers played 11.24 million rounds across the state.
From community nine-hole layouts to globally recognized destinations like Whistling Straits and Sand Valley, Wisconsin’s golf ecosystem is both deep and diverse. Public access remains a defining feature, with 87% of facilities open to the public, helping make the sport accessible while supporting local economies from small towns to major tourism hubs.
Golf’s economic engine extends far beyond the fairways. Golf facility operations alone account for more than $3.1 billion in total output, supporting over 32,000 jobs. Capital investments in courses and infrastructure added another $629 million, while golf-related retail and equipment contributed hundreds of millions more.
Then there are the ripple effects.
Golf tourism brought $1.72 billion in economic activity to Wisconsin, driven by 1.8 million golf-related trips. Visitors book hotels, dine in restaurants, fill gas tanks, and explore local communities. Residential development tied to golf added $441 million in economic impact, while property value premiums near courses generated $49.4 million in local property tax revenue.
Even the charitable side of the game makes a major difference. Wisconsin golf facilities hosted charity events that helped raise $166 million for nonprofits across the state.
And beyond dollars and cents, golf contributes to the physical landscape of Wisconsin itself. Courses collectively provide more than 73,000 acres of greenspace, supporting wildlife habitat, stormwater management, and open recreation areas in communities statewide.
In short, golf is doing a lot of quiet heavy lifting across Wisconsin. It supports jobs, tourism, conservation, youth programs, and local charities. It’s a business sector, a recreational outlet, and a community gathering place all rolled into one.
For a state known for Packers tailgates and cheese festivals, that’s a pretty impressive addition to the list.
If you’re interested in exploring the full data and findings, you can view the complete report here:
https://www.radiussportsgroup.com/wisconsin-golf-economic-impact-report
Cover image credit: Radius Sports Group
The report itself was commissioned and supported by several key organizations representing Wisconsin’s golf industry. These include the Wisconsin Golf Alliance, PGA of America Wisconsin Section, Wisconsin Badger Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Together, these associations represent thousands of professionals working across golf operations, turf management, hospitality, and course ownership throughout the state.
Research and reporting for the study was conducted by Radius Sports Group, a firm specializing in economic impact analysis and strategic consulting for the sports, recreation, and tourism industries. Radius has produced similar reports across the country, helping policymakers, industry leaders, and communities better understand the real economic contributions of sports-related industries like golf.