Editor’s note: Jay Karen is CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and attended National Golf Day, May 5-7, in Washington, D.C. 374750
There is something uniquely American about walking the halls of Congress during National Golf Day.
This week, as I moved from office to office in the Rayburn, Longworth and Hart buildings — and even the White House — alongside leaders from across the golf industry, I was struck once again by the energy of it all. The hallways were packed with advocates from every imaginable sector of American life — farmers, teachers, veterans, healthcare providers, manufacturers, technology companies, environmental groups and small business owners — all there to make their case to elected officials. It was crowded, noisy, sometimes chaotic and absolutely beautiful.
In an era when many Americans have grown cynical about government and public discourse, Capitol Hill during advocacy season remains one of the purest examples of representative democracy in action. Citizens and industries from every corner of the country showing up peacefully, passionately and respectfully to participate in the process. It reminded me that advocacy is not something to be embarrassed about (lobbying is a dirty word to many). It is something to celebrate. It is one of the ways America works.
And golf deserves to be part of that conversation.
As CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, I had the privilege this week of joining hundreds of leaders from the American Golf Industry Coalition for National Golf Day in Washington, D.C. The event brought together golf course owners, superintendents, PGA professionals, club managers, architects, manufacturers, tourism leaders and allied businesses from across the country. Together, we conducted more than 250 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss the issues affecting the game and business of golf.
What many people still do not fully appreciate is the sheer scale and impact of the modern golf industry.
Golf in America generates more than $100 billion in direct economic activity and supports more than two million jobs. When indirect impacts are included – supply chain spending, visitor expenditures on hospitality and enhanced real estate values – golf’s economic footprint exceeds $226 billion. Nearly 80% of American golf facilities are open to the public, and millions of Americans engage with the game annually through golf courses, driving ranges, entertainment venues and simulators.
Golf is also deeply connected to tourism, hospitality, recreation, environmental stewardship and charitable fundraising. More than 140,000 charity golf events are conducted annually, helping raise billions of dollars for worthy causes. Courses provide green space in communities large and small. And increasingly, golf is being recognized for its physical, mental and social wellness benefits.
That broad impact explains why our policy agenda is equally broad.
This week, representatives from the golf industry discussed several key legislative priorities with lawmakers. One major focus was modernization of portions of the federal tax code that continue to unfairly treat golf differently from other recreational industries. The PAR Act (Parity for Athletic Recreation) seeks to correct outdated language that has historically lumped golf facilities into categories alongside activities like gambling establishments and racetracks — even hot tub facilities — a relic from a very different era of the game. Today’s golf landscape is dramatically different, with public-access golf serving millions of Americans in communities nationwide.
We also advocated for passage of the PHIT Act (Personal Health Investment Today), legislation that would allow Americans to use pre-tax health savings and flexible spending account dollars on qualified fitness expenses, including golf-related activities. Golf is not merely recreation; it is healthy outdoor physical activity that can be enjoyed across generations and throughout a lifetime. Encouraging more participation through sensible health policy is simply smart public policy.
Workforce challenges were another major topic. Seasonal labor remains one of the biggest operational concerns facing golf facilities, particularly in resort and seasonal markets. We urged Congress to modernize and improve the H-2B visa program to provide greater predictability and workforce stability for employers who operate legally and responsibly. Golf courses, like many hospitality-related businesses, depend on seasonal workers to deliver quality experiences during peak months.
Additionally, we discussed support for turfgrass research and the importance of properly recognizing turfgrass as a significant agricultural commodity. Turfgrass management affects everything from recreation and sports fields to environmental sustainability and water management. Better data and research can help policymakers better understand the role these landscapes play in American communities.
Of course, policy conversations are only part of National Golf Day. One of the traditions I value most is the community service work performed by industry volunteers throughout Washington. This year, participants worked on improvement projects on the National Mall and at Old Soldiers’ Home Golf Course, helping beautify public spaces and honoring those who have served our country.
That service component matters because it reflects something important about golf itself. Golf facilities are not isolated businesses existing apart from their communities. They are gathering places. Employers. Tourism drivers. Charity hosts. Green spaces. Small businesses. Community partners.
As I left Capitol Hill, tired from long days of walking marble hallways and carrying folders stuffed with briefing papers, I also left feeling optimistic. Not because every issue will immediately be solved. Washington rarely works that way. But because our industry showed up. We participated. We engaged respectfully with people who may or may not always agree with us. And we did so alongside countless other Americans exercising the same right to advocate for the causes and industries they care about.
That is democracy. That is citizenship. And frankly, it made me proud — not only of the golf industry, but of the country itself.
