Buffalo Groupe Study Shows Golf Travel Rebalancing Around Value, Frequency, and Experience in 2026

Annual Golf Travel Study Reveals Sustained Spending, High Economic Confidence, and Evolving Travel Priorities Among U.S. Golfers

Charleston, S.C. – A new national study from Buffalo Groupe finds that U.S. golfers are entering 2026 with strong confidence in golf travel, continued willingness to spend, and a renewed focus on value-driven, experience-rich trips. The 2025 Buffalo Groupe Golf Travel Study examines shifting behaviors, spending patterns, and destination preferences, highlighting a resilient market that is becoming more intentional in how and where golfers travel.

Conducted in December 2025, the annual study analyzes year-over-year trends in golf travel and explores how today’s golfers balance frequency, spend, and experience when planning getaways.

“Golf travel demand remains strong, but today’s golfer is making more thoughtful decisions,” said Buffalo Groupe CEO Kyle Ragsdale. “We’re seeing sustained spending paired with higher expectations around value, ease, and overall experience. For destinations and resorts, delivering seamless, memorable golf getaways has never been more important.”

Key Study Findings:

The 2025 Golf Travel Study provides valuable insights for golf destinations, resorts, and marketers, including the following highlights:

• Sustained Spending with Higher Value Expectations: Nearly 9 in 10 golfers plan to spend the same or more on golf travel in 2026, with half maintaining annual golf travel budgets of $5,000 or more. However, golfers are increasingly sensitive to perceived value, citing hidden fees and misaligned pricing as key deterrents.

• Strong Economic Confidence: 71% of golfers report feeling optimistic or confident about the U.S. economy, supporting continued golf travel intent despite broader economic uncertainty.

• Southeast Remains the Top Domestic Destination: The Southeast continues to dominate U.S. golf travel interest, accounting for two-thirds of the top five most desired domestic destinations, while interest in regions such as the Gulf Coast and Upper Midwest is emerging.

• International “Bucket List” Travel Endures: Scotland and Ireland remain the most desired international golf destinations. Southern Europe—including Spain, Portugal, and Italy—is gaining popularity as golfers seek a “golf-plus” experience that blends culture, cuisine, scenery, and climate.

• Digital Content Drives Trip Planning: Golf travel planning is increasingly digital, with YouTube remaining the leading platform for golf travel content consumption, particularly among golfers under 45.

Buffalo Groupe Managing Director Sara Killeen noted a shift in the spending habits of golf travelers with the largest trip budgets. "While they aren't penny-pinching, those with budgets over $15,000 pulled back somewhat in 2025," Killeen stated. "Many have moved into the $7,500–$10,000 bracket, suggesting they may be opting for several shorter golf getaways over the course of the year instead of a single marquee trip."

Study Methodology

The 2025 Buffalo Groupe Golf Travel Study was conducted in Fall 2025 using a national survey of qualified U.S. golfers and reflects insights from highly engaged golf travelers.

Screening Criteria:

• Played more than five rounds of golf in the past year

• Have taken a golf-focused trip within the last five years

  Research Focus Areas:

• Past golf travel behaviors

• Future golf travel intentions

• Travel spending and sentiment

• Destination preferences

• Golfer demographics and psychographics

To review the full Buffalo Groupe 2025 Golf Travel Study, including detailed data, destination rankings, and strategic insights, visit www.longitudesgroup.com/buy-reports for purchase options.

About Buffalo Groupe, LLC

Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Buffalo Groupe, LLC, and its predecessor, Buffalo Agency, have spent more than two decades building the world’s first escape marketing platform. The Groupe's carefully assembled collective includes a full-service marketing firm, a research arm, an events division, and a media property—all authentically serving the industries of golf and outdoor sport, travel and hospitality, and real estate. Operating with the core values of kindness, clarity, and courage, Buffalo's 85-member team leverages experts in data/research, digital, web, creative, events, and public relations to deliver integrated marketing to drive business results for its clients. In June 2024, Buffalo Groupe merged with ClubWorks, a holding company for luxury and private club services founded by Tidewater and Palm Beach Capital. Other investors in Buffalo Groupe include, among others, MLB All-Star Mike Trout, Symphony Ventures and Versant Media Group (formerly NBCUniversal).

More information about Buffalo Groupe is available at buffalogroupe.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Oregon's Golf Industry Tees Up $2.4 Billion in Economic Impact

New Statewide Report Shows 52% Growth Since 2019 as Golf Fuels Oregon's Jobs, Tourism, and Tax Revenue

Salem, Ore. – A new statewide analysis shows that Oregon’s golf industry generated a $2.4 billion total economic impact in 2024, supporting more than 18,000 jobs and contributing $252 million in state and local tax revenue, according to the Oregon Golf Economic Impact Report, conducted by Buffalo Groupe on behalf of the Golf Alliance of Oregon.

The report indicates a 52% surge in direct economic activity, which, when adjusted for inflation, drove the compound annual growth rate up 4.8% per year since the prior study conducted in 2019. This expansion is primarily attributable to tourism, real estate, and capital investments. Golf's impact now significantly transcends the golf course, stimulating small businesses, elevating property values, and bolstering Oregon's outdoor recreation economy.

“Golf stands as one of Oregon's most cherished recreational activities and a substantial economic catalyst,” said Rick Rangel, CEO of the Golf Alliance of Oregon. "This expansion highlights the sport's deep community integration, environmentally responsible practices, and outstanding destinations attracting worldwide participants."

Key Study Findings: The study demonstrates the golf industry’s broad footprint across urban centers and rural communities throughout Oregon, including the following highlights:

• A total economic impact of $2.4 billion, including $1.6 billion in direct activity from golf facilities, tourism, retail, real estate, and related businesses.

• 18,000 jobs supported, generating over $639 million in wages.

• $252 million in state and local taxes, contributing to vital community services.

• Tourism constitutes the largest sector, representing 36% of golf-related activity, equivalent to $838 million.

• Golf-related real estate experienced a significant increase from $58 million in 2019 to $184 million in 2024, a more than threefold surge.

• Participation escalated to 390,000 golfers statewide, with 5.3 million rounds played, marking an almost 19% rise since 2019.

The report highlights Oregon’s leadership in environmental stewardship, with 86% of facilities maintaining or reducing water use and 10% converting turfgrass to native vegetation. Innovative sustainability practices—from habitat restoration in Bend to natural vegetation management in Portland—demonstrate how the state’s golf industry continues to balance growth with conservation.

Oregon boasts 172 golf facilities, showcasing one of the most diverse golf landscapes in the nation, stretching from the coast to the high desert. These facilities encompass accessible public courses alongside world-renowned destinations such as Bandon Dunes, Sunriver, Pronghorn, and Tetherow. Notably, three-quarters of Oregon's courses are publicly accessible, a figure significantly exceeding the national average and emphasizing the state's dedication to accessible recreation and local economic prosperity. Oregon has also long been a hub for golf and sporting goods manufacturers, including Adidas, Nike, L.A.B. Golf, Jones Sports and Seamus Golf.

“L.A.B. Golf is so proud to be operating out of Oregon. The talent pool and general economic opportunity is a huge part of what made L.A.B. possible,” said Sam Hahn, CEO of L.A.B. Golf. “We look forward to continuing to grow right here in Creswell!”

A Holistic View of Golf’s Economic Footprint:

Buffalo Groupe Research, headquartered in Oregon, employed a multi-layered research approach that combined the nationally recognized IMPLAN Pro™ input-output model with extensive data collection and analysis. Data was gathered from numerous sources, including:

• Custom surveys of Oregon's golf facilities, retailers, manufacturers and turf seed growers.

• Economic metrics from Travel Oregon and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Placer.ai cell-movement tracking to understand the volume of foot traffic into retail and golf course facilities at 154 courses.

This approach captured both direct spending by golfers and visitors and the broader indirect and induced effects from supplier networks and household income, providing the most comprehensive view of golf’s economic footprint across the state.

About the Golf Alliance of Oregon

The Golf Alliance of Oregon represents the state’s leading golf organizations, including the Oregon Golf Association, Oregon Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America, Oregon Golf Course Owners Association, Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA, and the Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Together, these organizations advocate for golf's growth, sustainability, and positive impact throughout Oregon. For more information, visit https://www.golfallianceoregon.org.

About Buffalo Groupe, LLC

Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Buffalo Groupe, LLC, and its predecessor, Buffalo Agency, have spent more than two decades building the world’s first escape marketing platform. The Groupe's carefully assembled collective includes a full-service marketing firm, a research arm, an events division, and a media property—all authentically serving the industries of golf and outdoor sport, travel and hospitality, and real estate. Operating with the core values of kindness, clarity, and courage, Buffalo's 85-member team leverages experts in data/research, digital, web, creative, events, and public relations to deliver integrated marketing to drive business results for its clients.

More information about Buffalo Groupe can be found by visiting buffalogroupe.com, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Buffalo Groupe Study Reveals Surge in Golf Travel Confidence and Spending for 2025

Survey Results Reveal a Robust, Confident Golf Travel Market with Southeast Coastal Destinations Ranking Highly

Charleston, S.C. – A new study by Buffalo Groupe indicates a significant increase in economic optimism among U.S. golfers, leading to a rise in golf travel plans and spending. The Buffalo Groupe Golf Travel Study analyzes the state of golf travel among U.S. golfers, comparing year-over-year trends and focusing on travel behaviors, future intentions, and golfer demographics.

Research objectives explored past golf travel behavior, future intentions, and additional golfer-focused metrics. The study was based on a survey of more than 700 respondents who must have golfed in the past year, taken a golf trip in the last five years, or taken one or more golf-focused getaways.

“The surge in golf travel confidence and spending is a clear indicator of the industry’s robust recovery and sustained growth,” said Buffalo Groupe CEO Kyle Ragsdale.”Our findings provide several actionable insights for golf businesses looking to capitalize on this market’s potential.”

Key Study Findings: The study provides valuable insights for golf travel providers, marketers, and destinations, including the following highlights:

• Strong Economic Confidence: 81% of golfers feel optimistic about the economy, a significant increase from only 56% in 2023. Additionally, 21% of golfers feel financially confident.

• Increased Spending: 44% of golfers plan to spend more on golf travel in 2025, while 48% plan to spend the same as last year.

• Destination Preferences:

• International: Scotland and Ireland remain the most desired international destinations.

• Domestic: The Southeast Coast (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia) is the most popular U.S. destination.

• Shifting Social Media Trends: YouTube and Instagram are now the preferred platforms for consuming golf content, with a significant drop in Facebook usage.

To review the full results, please visit the ‘Buy Reports’ page and navigate to the Reports section for purchase options.

About Buffalo Groupe

Buffalo Groupe, LLC, with corporate headquarters in Charleston, SC, has spent more than two decades building the most prominent travel and hospitality-focused marketing platform. Our carefully assembled team includes a full-service marketing firm, a research arm, an events division, and a media property that authentically serves the travel, hospitality, real estate, lifestyle, and outdoor recreation industries. 

Buffalo Groupe was formed in early 2019 when Buffalo Agency acquired Charleston-based Rawle Murdy Associates. Today, Buffalo has close to 100 team members who deliver integrated marketing programs focused on business results for our golf, travel and real estate clients.

In June 2024, Buffalo Groupe merged with ClubWorks, a luxury and private club services holding company founded by Tidewater and Palm Beach Capital. Other investors in Buffalo Groupe include professional golfer Rory McIlroy and MLB All-Star Mike Trout.

More information about Buffalo Groupe can be found by visiting buffalogroupe.com, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Longitudes Group Announces 2024 Pickleball Distribution Report

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Longitudes Group LLC, a Buffalo Groupe company, announced the release of the 2024 Pickleball Distribution Report. The report delivers a comprehensive list of over 10,000 locations. This unique resource can be leveraged for competitive analysis, sales planning, marketing, and mapping. The dataset includes crucial details such as court counts, court type (indoor/outdoor), phone numbers, and location type (public/private).

“Pickleball has been sweeping the nation due to its low barrier to entry,” says Sara Killeen, Managing Director of Longitudes Group. “Due to its rapid popularity, closely tracking court openings and closings is essential for brands to identify under-served markets and key target areas for growth.”

About Longitudes Group, a Buffalo Groupe Company

Longitudes Group, based in Portland, Oregon, is part of the Buffalo Groupe research division providing unique analysis on the travel and spending behaviors of avid golfers in the US and Canada. Armed with the Spenders and Players panel and a separate database containing information on the spending behavior of 5.5 million avid golfers and 25M total golfers mapped by county and zip code, Longitudes Group uses a geo-demographic approach to probe both the location and purchase behavior of the avid golfer population. On the supply side beyond travel, Longitudes Group has built the most up-to-date database of golf retailers including 14,200 golf facilities, 1,300 off-course retail stores and 1,700 chain sporting goods store.

For more information about Longitudes Group and this research, please visit www.longitudesgroup.com For more information about Buffalo Groupe and its collective of marketing agencies, please visit www.buffalogroupe.com/

Contact:

Sara Killeen, Managing Director (503) 477-6284

Sara@longitudesgroup.com

Longitudes Group Announces 2023 Golf Travel Research Report

40% of Women are More Likely to Spend ‘Significantly’ on Golf Travel in the Next Year According to the Report

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Longitudes Group LLC, a Buffalo Groupe company, announced the release of the 2023 Golf Travel Research Report. The report delivers the industry’s definitive research on where golfers are going and how are they influenced to travel, including how golfers have continued to increase spending via continued pent-up demand as they have enthusiastically taken their game on the road in 2023.

Key Findings:

• 44% plan to spend more on golf travel this year – with 12% planning to spend “significantly more.”

• 78% have taken at least one golf-focused trip in the last 12 months.

• 58% of Golf travelers go directly to the resort or course website when researching where to stay and play.

• Women are 40% more likely to spend significantly on golf travel this year. They also are 2X more likely than men to budget $10,000+ on golf trips annually.

“It is no secret that golf is booming but little has been done to dig into how the rise in interest has impacted golf travel,” says Sara Killeen, Managing Director of Longitudes Group. “Golfers are treating themselves given their hearty budgets of both time and money, to weave golf into their travel plans this year. It’s about escape, adventure and there is no holding them back.”

The 2023 Golf Travel Research Report provides golf industry stakeholders with the latest insights on things related to travel for active golf consumers. It will enable travel industry stakeholders and golf destinations to make informed decisions to grow their business this season. You can purchase the 32-page report at www.longitudesgroup.com for $800.

The research for this report is derived from Longitudes Group’s ‘Spenders & Players’ golfer panel and The First Call subscribers. The respondents are active spenders and players in the game and an important bellwether for golf travel trends. The results in the report are culled from the survey of 411 respondents fielded in early Summer of 2023.

About Longitudes Group, a Buffalo Groupe Company

Longitudes Group, based in Portland, Oregon, is part of the Buffalo Groupe research division providing unique analysis on the travel and spending behaviors of avid golfers in the US and Canada. Armed with the Spenders and Players panel and a separate database containing information on the spending behavior of 5.5 million avid golfers and 25M total golfers mapped by county and zip code, Longitudes Group uses a geo-demographic approach to probe both the location and purchase behavior of the avid golfer population. On the supply side beyond travel, Longitudes Group has built the most up-to-date database of golf retailers including 14,200 golf facilities, 1,300 off-course retail stores and 1,700 chain sporting goods store.

For more information about Longitudes Group and this research, please visit www.longitudesgroup.com For more information about Buffalo Groupe and its collective of marketing agencies, please visit www.buffalogroupe.com/

Contact:

Sara Killeen, Managing Director (503) 477-6284

Sara@longitudesgroup.com

Longitudes Group | A Buffalo Groupe Company releases 2022 Off-Course Golf Specialty Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 20, 2022

2022 Off-Course Retail Report Shows Retail Market Trends as the Golf Industry Stabilizes

Portland, OR – Longitudes Group today announced the release of its 2022 Market Trend Report on USA Off-Course Golf retail.  The channel continues to be cut-throat as the major retail chains along with the club-fitting specialists, have expanded the number of locations since the golf surge during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The retailers who were opening new locations were led by Club Champion and PGA Tour Superstores.  The specialty golf channel is now dominated by the national chains.  62% of all square footage and 18% of the door counts are owned by multi-door retailers with store footprints over 10,000 square feet.

First released in 2004, Longitudes Group tracks the growth and contraction of the Off-Course retail market with this bi-annual report.  In the overall Off-course retail segment, 2022 brings good news for golfers and channel growth both in terms of square foot expansion and technology-driven retail experiences. Big Box chains were the lion’s share of the square footage growth with PGA Tour Superstores aggressively opening gigantic stores in key markets.

Key findings of the current research include:

• Between 2019 and 2022:

  • Off-course golf retail door count is up 16%

  • Off-course retail square footage up 19%

• The total off-course market value is $1.7 Billion

• Since 2019, total market value is up 28% in the off-course channel

“The market has been in a significant state of flux making both retailers and manufacturers bullish as significant amounts of market share have been up for grabs in these last three golf seasons of big growth,” states Sara Killeen, President of Longitudes Group.  “The coming year will be a horse race with varying strategies between the largest retail chains.  Some will seek to win market share at all costs while others pursue financial stability via careful investing.” 

The Research

Calls to retailers were conducted via Longitudes Group outbound research and call center, based in Portland, Oregon.  These annual online and phone surveys establish a baseline count of stores, store size, and product categories carried. Retailers that have gone out of business, moved locations, are removed from the off-course specialty database or updated.  The definition of the off-course golf retail store model is a brick and mortar store with its primary business being the sale of branded and pro-line golf equipment, accessories and soft goods at a location not adjacent to a golf course.

For further information on the preparation of a custom analysis please contact Longitudes Group at (503) 477-6284.

Longitudes Group, a Buffalo Groupe company, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.  Over the last twenty years since its founding, it has provided unique analysis on the spending and travel behaviors of avid golfers in the US and Canada. Armed with a database containing information on the behavior of 5 million avid golfers mapped by county and zip code, Longitudes Group uses a geo-demographic approach to probe both the location and purchase behavior of the avid golfer population.  On the supply side, Longitudes Group has built the most up-to-date database of golf retailers including 14,700 golf facilities, 1,169 off-course retail stores and 1,435 chain sporting goods stores.  For more information, visit the company online at www.longitudesgroup.com. 

Contact Info:

Sara Killeen, Managing Director
sara@longitudesgroup.com
(503) 477-6284

Buffalo Groupe, LLC & Longitudes Group Expand Research Offerings with Another Acquisition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 5, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lauren Nodzak

Buffalo Agency

lnodzak@buffalo.agency

(571) 565-5296

Buffalo Groupe, LLC Expands Research Offerings with Acquisition of Sports Marketing Surveys USA

(Charleston, S.C.) – Buffalo Groupe, LLC, a collection of agencies, events and media properties, expands its research capabilities with the acquisition of Sports Marketing Surveys USA, the industry leader in sports research. Together with Longitudes Group, who joined Buffalo in January 2021, Sports Marketing Surveys USA (SMS), along with its ActionWatch subsidiary, will merge complementary capabilities offering clients a full range of research, analysis and insights into the purchase journey and behaviors of consumer in outdoor sports, including golf, tennis, running, surfing and skateboarding.

“Buffalo Groupe is a marketing company built on a deep understanding of the golf and related audiences,” said Kyle Ragsdale, CEO, Buffalo Groupe. “SMS and ActionWatch bring decades of leading sports industry research and insights that will greatly expand Buffalo’s capabilities both in golf and to the broader outdoor and ‘escape’ categories. We are excited to welcome the SMS team to Buffalo.”

Sports Marketing Surveys USA and ActionWatch provide a full range of quantitative and qualitative approaches, offering comprehensive analysis in more than 100 sports. With planned investments in technology combined with Buffalo’s world class marketing capabilities, current and future clients will be supported in all aspects of the demand creation process including segments, personas, targeting, campaign creation, measurement and predictive modeling.

“We are impressed by Buffalo Groupe’s vision and look forward to joining their collection of companies,” said Keith Storey, President of Sports Marketing Surveys USA. “Their expertise will help us further develop our offering while staying true to our key strengths as a business. The ways in which America plays and exercises are constantly evolving, and arguably the nation has never been more active. We are excited for the future of the sports industry and excited to support that future as part of Buffalo Groupe.”

Sports Marketing Surveys USA will now be known as Sports Marketing Surveys USA, a Buffalo Groupe Company, with headquarters remaining in Jupiter, Florida. SMS USA will also continue to collaborate closely with Sporting Insights, the new identity of Sports Marketing Surveys Inc (headquartered in the UK), to offer global insights.

Clare Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Buffalo Groupe on the transaction.

About Buffalo Groupe, LLC

Buffalo Groupe, LLC is a collection of agencies, events and media properties that authentically serve the escape industries of golf, outdoor recreation, travel, lifestyle, real estate and active sport.  The collection is comprised of industry leading companies including Buffalo Agency, BGRM, 54 Brands, Longitudes Group, The First Call and Moments Live. Guided by our core principles of kindness, clarity and courage, our people adhere to a Groupe-wide foundational philosophy to connect brands and lifestyle audiences through content. Buffalo Groupe is headquartered in Charleston, SC with company offices in Washington, DC, Charlotte, Charleston, Portland and LA. For more information visit www.buffalogroupe.com.

About Sports Marketing Surveys USA

For over 35 years, Sports Marketing Surveys USA has provided trusted, market-leading research from junior and pick-up play to elite sport. Its annual participation research on behalf of PAC is considered the gold standard, while other key services include equipment sell-in and sell-through monitors in multiple sports. The company also offers a full range of bespoke research services. For more information, visit www.sportsmarketingsurveysusa.com

About Longitudes Group:

Longitudes Group, LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a research and marketing company

providing unique analysis on the travel and spending behaviors of active, fresh-air-seeking consumers in the US, UK, Japan, Korea and Canada. Longitudes Group started with a proprietary golfer model built by Dr. John Rooney of Oklahoma State University and partnering with Sara Killeen’s vision of modeling the spending behavior of 5+ million avid golfers mapped by county and zip code. The company has grown and now provides a broad range of market insights built on a foundation of the geography of specific sports, related participation, retail spending and demographics. Longitudes Group serves stakeholders in fitness and outdoor sports along with its deep roots in golf and travel.

For more information about Longitudes Group please visit www.longitudesgroup.com

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Buffalo Groupe, LLC, Announces the Acquisition of Longitudes Group

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Agency
sreynolds@buffalo.agency
(703) 344-6031

RESTON, Va.) – Buffalo Groupe, LLC has expanded its research capabilities with the acquisition of Longitudes Group, an industry leading sports marketing research and consulting company based in Portland, Oregon. Longitudes Group, a pioneer in geographic-based demographic research in golf, fitness, outdoor sports and travel, is the fourth acquisition since Buffalo Groupe was founded in February 2019.  

“Longitudes Group has been leading the way in sports marketing research for nearly 20 years and their passion, philosophy and focus on escape industries made them the perfect addition to Buffalo Groupe and the agencies and media properties in our Collective,” said Kyle Ragsdale, CEO, Buffalo Groupe. “Data and insights are fundamental to any work we do with our clients.  Sara and the team at Longitudes Group will greatly enhance our capabilities as we guide brands to authentic and knowledgeable connections to their consumers.”

“At Longitudes Group we have been serving our clients with a unique view and foundation for high impact planning and action,” said Sara Killeen, Managing Director, Longitudes Group.  “Joining Buffalo Groupe strengthens our connection to the full marketing process allowing research and insights to best serve our clients. Buffalo’s vision and approach complements ours and I couldn’t be more excited to see what we can build together.”

Longitudes Group will now be known as Longitudes Group, a Buffalo Groupe Company, with Killeen continuing to lead as Managing Director. The company will remain headquartered in Portland.

About Longitudes Group:

Longitudes Group, LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a research and marketing company providing unique analysis on the travel and spending behaviors of active, fresh-air-seeking consumers in the US, UK and Canada. Longitudes Group started with a proprietary golfer model built by Dr. John Rooney and Dr. Steve Tweedie of Oklahoma State University containing information on the behavior of 5+ million avid golfers mapped by county and zip code. The company has grown and now provides a broad range of market insights built on a foundation of the geography of specific sports, related participation, spending and demographics. Longitudes Group serves stakeholders in fitness and outdoor sports along with its deep roots in golf and travel. 

About Buffalo Groupe, LLC

Buffalo Groupe, LLC is a collection of agencies and media properties that authentically serve the escape industries of golf, outdoor recreation, travel, lifestyle, real estate and active sport.  The collection is comprised of industry leading companies including Buffalo Agency, Rawle Murdy, 54 Brands, Longitudes Group and Morning Read. Guided by our core principles of kindness, clarity and courage, our people adhere to a Groupe-wide foundational philosophy to connect brands and lifestyle audiences through content. Buffalo Groupe is headquartered in Washington, DC with company offices in Charlotte, Charleston, Portland and LA. 

For more information visit www.buffalogroupe.com. 

Longitudes Group Releases 2020 Green Grass Top-Targets Database

With over 15,000 Green Grass accounts in the US, Longitudes Group provides a database to make sense of it all.

PORTLAND, Ore. (February 3, 2020) - Longitudes Group LLC, a leading independent sports research company, announced the release of its 2020 Green Grass Top-Targets Database. The database captures over 15,000 Green Grass locations rating each locations A thru D in both Soft & Hard-Goods.

The ABC’s of Top-Target Green Grass Doors

Not all doors are created equal.  Getting into the right shops for your brand is critical to growing your business. Longitudes Group has taken out the guess work with a comprehensive database identifying the list of Top-Targets for sales organizations.  Longitudes Group offers a total of 6 reports in total depending on your needs.  

Soft-Goods Database:

Hard-Goods Database:

ABC Definitions & Total Retail Sales Volume Estimates

A:   Vibrant apparel, hard goods, balls, accessories $400,000 or more total retail sales volume (less in the middle of the country or smaller towns / much more around the coasts, mega metro areas and key resort areas) 

B:    Hard-goods, golf balls, accessories, possibly a very basic apparel business. $50,000 - $399,999

C:   Golf balls, wedges, putters, some accessories (<$50,000) 

D:   Low value retail opportunity, unless it's a high rounds course and they sell some golf balls (< $10,000) 

Report Data Includes: There are over 30 data variables included in the database listing

• Facility Name

• Complete Address

• Phone Number

• Geocoding (Lat and Lon)

• Facility Type (Public / Private)

• Top Target Assignments (A, B, C, D)

• Geographic variables (DMA, CBSA Metro, County)

• Management Company 

And many more…. If you would like to see a sample of our Top-Targets Database please email us at eric.stanton@longitudesgroup.com

Additional services include: (please inquire for custom pricing)

•  Account Matching: Longitudes Group matches your company's current accounts to the LG Top-Targets list.

• Advantages: Measure golf facility penetration by metro area or sales territory. Drive your distribution strategy by measuring sales productivity for each Top-Target segment.

• Sales Rep Appending: LG appends Top-Targets prospect list for each sales territory or sales rep. 

• Advantages: Your Sales team is immediately armed with a valuable list for sales team to hit Top-Targets locally and regionally.

Please feel free to contact Longitudes Group via email at eric.stanton@longitudesgroup.com if you have a questions about the reports or if you would prefer a different payment method.

Longitudes Group Makes Available Its First Pickleball Distribution Report

Pickleball is one of Americas fastest growing sports with over 3 million participants. Fun, inexpensive, with over 5,000 locations and over 18,000 courts.

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 22, 2019) - Longitudes Group LLC, a leading independent sports research company, announced the release of the Pickleball Location Report. The report captures over 5,000 locations with over 18,000 courts.

When growing, expanding or maintaining a business, knowing where to target is key to sales and marketing.  Longitudes Group has built a reputation for providing the most comprehensive geo list of Golf and Fitness locations in the US and Canada and is excited about expanding into Pickleball.

PICKLEBALL GROWTH

Pickleball, invented 53 years ago has recently become one of the fastest growing sports in America.  With a relatively low cost to enter the sport and a fast-growing number of locations to play, Pickleball has become an alternative to other more traditional sports. The Sports & Fitness Association (SFIA) has stated in their 2018 SFIA Topline Report that Pickleball participation is currently over 3.1 million players in the US.  That is an increase of 11.3% over 2017. And a 3 year average growth of 8.5%. On the supply side over 1,000 Pickleball locations have been opened in the last year, a 25% increase.

REPORT FINDINGS 

Pickleball locations aren’t just concentrated in metropolitan areas with high baby boomers.  Many have thought that the highest concentration is in areas with retirement communities. Our report finds that some of the top metros have solid demographics for families.

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TOP 10 PICKLEBALL METROS

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TOP 20 PICKLEBALL STATES

PICKLEBALL LOCATIONS / DISTRIBUTION DATABASE

With over 5,000 locations in the Longitudes Group Pickleball database, customers can use this list for competitive analysis, sales planning, marketing and mapping. The data set includes locations, court counts, court type (indoor/outdoor), phone numbers and location type (public/private). Longitudes Group tracks court openings and closings in the US annually. Constantly maintained, the Longitudes Group Pickleball database provides easy to access insights on these locations. In partnership with our GIS partner, Tactician, Longitudes Group helps brands identify under-served markets and key target areas for growth. If interested in custom Pickleball mapping, please contact us for more details.

You can purchase the entire US report at longitudesgroup.com for $2,000 or contact us about purchasing individual states or regions starting at $300. Click here to purchase

Report Data:

• Location Name

• Complete Address

• Phone Number

• Geocoding (Lat and Lon)

• Location Type (Public / Private)

• Court Type (Indoor / Outdoor)*

• Court Counts by Type

Enhanced Option:

• Custom Mapping

*Pickleball courts are defined as dedicated Pickleball courts designed specifically for the sport of Pickleball and a combination of spaces that have been adapted and/or shared with other court sports like basketball/tennis.

About Longitudes Group LLC

Longitudes Group, LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a research and marketing company providing unique analysis on the travel and spending behaviors in the Sports and Fitness industry in the US, UK and Canada. Longitudes Group provides quantitative and qualitative analysis for companies armed with unique consumer panels to generate information on leisure-time spending and consumer behavior.  On the supply side, Longitudes Group has built the most up-to-date database for retailers including 15,000 golf facilities, 19,000 fitness facilities and over 2,000 sports retail locations. 

For more information about Longitudes Group please visit www.longitudesgroup.com

Contact: 

Sara Killeen, President                                    Eric Stanton, VP Sales & Marketing       
(503) 477-6284                                              (503) 475-7970                       

Sara@longitudesgroup.com                        Eric.Stanton@longitudesgroup.com