The game of golf is healthy and growing. The annual impact of golf course facilities on the U.S. economy is estimated at $18 billion, including direct and indirect expenditures. Today's mixture of public and private courses has made golf accessible to more than 24.5 million golfers who spend 2.4 billion hours, or more outdoors, playing the 14,500-plus U.S. golf courses.

Golf courses have a dramatic and positive effect on property values. In some cases, a golf resort can be the attraction that brings vacationers to a community. Often, golf courses provide a green oasis in a tract development. Adjoining property values are enhanced. The golf course also may filter storm water runoff from developments and effluent water from housing tracts can be recycled through the golf course and used as irrigation water.