Michigan Legislative Golf Day celebrated its 16th year on a beautiful summer day as golf industry professionals gathered outside the Capitol Building in Lansing to connect with state legislators, officials and staff members. Working with the Small Business Association of Michigan, golf professionals visited the office of each state legislator where golf’s positive effect on Michigan’s economy and environment were communicated.

However, the 16th edition of Michigan Legislative Golf Day wasn’t as straightforward as years past. This year’s rendition included the results of the recently completed National Golf Foundation (NGF) Michigan Golf Impact Report which were communicated to legislators.

The recent Michigan Golf Impact Report was commissioned and funded by the Michigan Golf Alliance, which is made up of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA), the Michigan Section PGA, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) and the Greater Michigan Club Management Association (GMCMA).

Based on the results of the Michigan Golf Impact Report, it was well worth the effort. Michigan has always been seen as a leader in the golf world, and the statistics now back that up. Highlights of the report include:

• Golf contributed $6.1 billion to the state’s economy in 2023
• 61,000 jobs in Michigan are supported by the industry
• There are 709 facilities which feature 859 golf courses spread across the state
• Michigan is 10th in the U.S. in size and 11th in population but ranks third in the total number of golf courses
• More than 1.85 million golfers travel to Michigan for golf and spend more than $1 billion annually
• Michigan had approximately 16.42 million rounds of golf played in 2023
• Roughly 896,700 Michigan residents play traditional, green-grass golf
• Golf courses in Michigan provide 92,200 professionally managed acres of green space
• Nearly 4,880 charity events with 467,400 participants raised roughly $104.3 million on Michigan golf courses in 2023

“The results of the new economic impact report were somewhat expected but also exciting,” says Michigan GCSA executive director and 26-year GCSAA member Adam Ikamas, CGCS. “Golf is a huge part of the Michigan economy with a $6.1 billion economic impact and a surprising $1 billion impact in tourism, making us 4th in the nation behind Florida, California and Texas with a short six-month season. These direct impact talking points are a great way to share how important golf is to all of us to legislators and the public.”