Enhanced Benchmarking Framework Advances National Golf Performance Intelligence Through Financial, Operational, Capital Asset, and Player Experience Metrics
CHICAGO, IL — May 20, 2026 — Greenlight Advisors, through its GolfClubBenchmarks.com intelligence platform, today announced the expansion of the 2026 U.S. Golf Study with a next-generation benchmarking framework built around four integrated performance pillars designed to provide golf course operators with a more complete view of facility performance, long-term sustainability, and operational success.
Building on the success of prior municipal benchmarking initiatives, the expanded 2026 U.S. Golf Study will help golf operators better understand how financial performance, operational effectiveness, capital asset stewardship, and player experience collectively influence long-term facility sustainability and profitability.
The enhanced framework introduces four integrated performance pillars:
- Financial Performance
- Operational Performance
- Capital Asset Stewardship
- Player Experience
As golf operators face increasing pressure to optimize staffing, improve facility conditions, strengthen player retention, and maximize financial performance, the expanded framework is intended to help facilities better understand the interconnected drivers of long-term success.
The expanded model reflects the continued evolution of the golf industry, where operational performance increasingly depends on an organization’s ability to align financial results with facility conditions, staffing effectiveness, capital planning, player loyalty, and overall player satisfaction.
“Golf facilities today need more than traditional benchmarking,” said Michael A. Suglich, CPA, Founder & CEO of Greenlight Advisors. “The 2026 U.S. Golf Study is evolving into a more comprehensive performance intelligence framework that helps operators understand how financial performance, operations, capital asset stewardship, and player experience work together to drive long-term success.”
As part of the expanded framework, the Study will introduce enhanced operational and player experience intelligence, including metrics related to pace of play, repeat play loyalty, recommendation strength, staffing effectiveness, facility utilization, and player satisfaction trends.
The updated methodology is designed to help participating golf facilities move beyond isolated KPI analysis toward a more integrated understanding of the performance relationships that influence overall business outcomes.
The 2026 U.S. Golf Study is expected to include participation from municipal, public daily fee, and resort golf facilities across the United States, expanding upon prior municipal-focused benchmarking initiatives while helping establish a broader national performance framework for the golf industry.
The 2026 U.S. Golf Study is being supported by a growing coalition of leading golf industry organizations, including the National Golf Foundation, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, and International Association of Golf Administrators. These organizations are helping expand industry awareness, participation, collaboration, and the advancement of national golf performance benchmarking.
The expanded framework reflects Greenlight Advisors’ long-term vision of helping establish the 2026 U.S. Golf Study as one of the golf industry’s most comprehensive national performance intelligence initiatives — helping operators compare performance with peer facilities, identify opportunities for improvement, and make more informed business decisions.
Additional announcements regarding strategic partners, participation opportunities, and the national rollout of the 2026 U.S. Golf Study are expected in the coming weeks, with broader industry participation opening later this summer.
About Greenlight Advisors
Greenlight Advisors Inc. is a golf industry analytics and benchmarking firm focused on helping golf facilities improve financial and operational performance through data intelligence, benchmarking, and strategic insights. Through its GolfClubBenchmarks.com platform, Greenlight Advisors provides benchmarking and performance intelligence solutions designed to support data-driven decision-making across the golf industry.
GolfClubBenchmarks.com is the technology and intelligence platform powering the 2026 U.S. Golf Study.