Municipalities, in the interest of preserving open space, could once be counted on to take over troubled courses. But subsidizing golf has become a toxic political issue in most places. — chicagobusiness.com

Are the days of America's golf clubs numbered? Reading the news, it doesn't look too good.

A recent Crain's report chronicling the ailing state of suburban Chicago golf clubs points out that while business was booming for the region's country clubs just a decade ago, the game has fallen flat in recent years. Many golf clubs are folding, being taken over by local municipalities, or eyeing redevelopment as golf playing slumps nationwide.

Real estate developer Chris Charnas, president of Links Capital Advisors, tells Crain's, "So many golf clubs face the reality of declining play. They once counted on 30,000 paid rounds a year and now that is under 20,000,” adding, “Many course owners will want to sell any way they can. They’re all looking for exit strategies.”

Planetizen adds that the trend extends to other parts of the country, as well, per a 2019 National Golf Foundation (NGF) report.

The report found that on top of a 5% drop in play between 2017 and 2018, nearly 200 courses closed during that time period. For measure, only 12 golf courses opened that year, a complete inversion from the roughly 200 golf courses that opened each year between 1986 and 2006, on average. According to the NGF report, closures outpaced openings for the first time in 2006, a trend that has held ever since.

One bright spot? So-called "off-course" play at golf-entertainment facilities, indoor simulators, and driving ranges. In the future, golf will probably be played in a neighborhood putting range, or, more likely, in virtual reality.

With the golf course "building boom" decidedly over, will crabgrass golf courses join zombie malls and dead suburbs as the latest suburban lifestyle marker to die a slow, undignified death? Only time will tell.