Here’s the Data to Prove It.
If you’ve spent any time around a golf course in Wisconsin, you already know something the numbers are now confirming: this sport runs deep in this state. It’s in the municipal layouts tucked into neighborhood parks, the historic courses where generations of families have played, the tournaments that draw visitors from across the country, and the charity scrambles that raise millions for local causes every year.
This week, the Wisconsin Golf Alliance released a comprehensive statewide economic impact study, and the findings are striking. Wisconsin golf generates $6.44 billion in total economic impact, supports 56,595 jobs, contributes $2 billion in wages, and returns $288 million in state and local taxes. Those numbers represent real livelihoods and real community investment across every corner of the state.
For context, the study notes that Wisconsin’s golf industry outpaces the combined economic contributions of craft beer, wine, local spirits, and Packers home games, sectors that most people would immediately associate with Wisconsin’s identity. Golf belongs in that conversation too, and this study makes that case clearly.
What the Numbers Mean for Youth Development
At First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin, we spend a lot of time talking about what golf does for young people. We know, from the kids we work with every day, that the game teaches patience, accountability, respect, and resilience in ways that carry far beyond the course. But the economic impact study also shows what golf does for young people in a broader, structural sense.
According to the study, 97% of surveyed Wisconsin golf facilities support at least one youth development program. That includes junior golf, scholastic golf, and First Tee programs across the state. More than 30 Wisconsin courses participate in Youth on Course through the Wisconsin State Golf Association, offering rounds for $5 or less to junior golfers statewide.
These aren’t small gestures. They represent a coordinated, industry-wide commitment to keeping the game accessible and to investing in the next generation of players and community members.
Charitable Giving at Scale
One of the most remarkable data points in the study is this: Wisconsin golf facilities hosted more than 9,000 charitable events in 2023, raising $166 million for local nonprofits. Every single surveyed facility hosted at least one charitable event. The golf course has long served as a venue for community fundraising, and that function is now documented at a scale most people probably hadn’t considered.
Those dollars flow to youth development organizations, conservation groups, healthcare nonprofits, schools, veterans initiatives, and many others. First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin is proud to be among the beneficiaries of golf’s charitable culture in this state, and we take seriously our responsibility to put those resources to work for young people.
A Sport That Is Genuinely Accessible
One of the most common barriers people cite when it comes to golf is cost. The study offers some helpful context: 55% of Wisconsin’s public golf facilities charge under $50 per round, and 87% of all facilities are open to the public. The picture of golf as an elite or exclusionary sport does not match the reality of how most people in Wisconsin actually experience the game.
Our programs at First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin are designed with accessibility at their core. Scholarships are available, and we partner to operate programs at Noyes Park, Lake Park, Brown Deer Park, Dretzka Park, Currie Park, Rolling Meadows, and Washington Park, all public courses that are woven into the fabric of their communities. We want every young person in Southeast Wisconsin to have a genuine pathway into the game.
What This Means for Us
We are a small organization with a big mission. We use golf to teach life skills and character development to young people ages 4 to 18. We couldn’t do that work without the golf community around us, and this study is a reminder of just how substantial that community is.
The $6.44 billion figure reflects the collective investment of course operators, equipment retailers, tourism businesses, tournament organizers, and charitable donors. It reflects the volunteers who show up to coach, the businesses that sponsor events, and the families who prioritize the game as part of how they spend time together. We are grateful to be part of that ecosystem.
If you’d like to support First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin, or if you’re interested in learning more about our programs, we’d love to hear from you. And if you haven’t had a chance to read the Wisconsin Golf Economic Impact Report, it’s worth your time. The full executive summary is available through the Wisconsin Golf Alliance.