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The 2020 Masters Tournament ended on Sunday, but the fever for golf continues. Due to the current pandemic, Americans are discouraged from playing sports like basketball, soccer and football because of social distancing. However, many are finding themselves on golf links where social distancing is already a part of the game.
Back in September, there was a 26-percent jump in play, with 12 million more rounds of golf counted across the U.S. compared to 2019, according to Golf Datatech. While other sports considered "bubble locations" a solution to social distancing, golf was one sport that embraced what was to come in 2020.
David Lorentz, chief research officer for the National Golf Foundation, expected the need for the game would come after the coronavirus news broke across the country.
"Golf started on a good note in terms of rounds in January and February, and then a ton of the things that compete with golf for time, attention and money — like trips and the plethora of leisure activities and work and personal commitments — were eliminated," he said. "Add in favorable weather and the COVID-induced demand for escape, and we've got the past five months."
Fans eagerly purchased new equipment thanks to the renewed interest in the Scottish sport. Golfers spent a record $331 million on clubs, balls, gloves and other gear, a 32-percent boost compared to 2019, according to Golf Datatech. Putting mats, hitting screens, and other at-home tools saw an increase of 75-percent compared to last year, according to NPD Group's analyst Matt Powell.