The Iowa Golf Council, which is a partnership of the Iowa Golf Association, Iowa Section PGA, Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Iowa Tall Corn Chapter of the CMAA, recently commissioned an updated study on the economic impact of golf in the state of Iowa. This builds on previous studies completed in 2005 and 2016.

The study, which began in late 2025, was completed in early 2026 and found that golf in Iowa has an economic impact of over $1 billion.  The game employs 9,741 individuals amounting to $400.4 million in compensation and accounted for $116.8 million in state and local taxes.  You can view the entire Economic Impact Report here.

This study shows how big of an industry golf is in Iowa.  It drives significant economic impact throughout the state.  The study includes not only direct operational expenditures and capital investments made by golf facilities in Iowa, but also golf-related manufacturing and retail spending, golf tourism, and new golf related construction.  Every Iowan should be proud of the fact that golf generated over $35 million in charitable dollars in 2025.