Miles Bennett
Night golf is a recreational activity that involves playing golf at night, often on a fully-lit golf course. It is a relatively unknown concept, with less than one percent of the 16,000 golf courses in the United States offering night golf. However, there are at least 22 night golf courses across 13 states in the country, and the number is expected to increase in the coming years. Night golf courses can be found within driving distance of major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and New York City. The experience often involves the use of glow-in-the-dark balls and floodlights, creating a unique and relaxed social atmosphere. Some courses even offer additional amenities like fire pits, food and liquor stations, and music, enhancing the overall experience. While the execution of night golf may pose some challenges, it provides golfers with the flexibility to enjoy their favorite sport while balancing other priorities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is night golf a thing? | Yes |
| Number of night golf courses in the US | 22 |
| Number of golf courses with lights in North America | 100+ |
| Number of golf courses in the US | 15,000-16,000 |
| Percentage of golf courses with lights in the US | <1% |
| Night golf courses in the US | Plano, Amarillo, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Westchester in Los Angeles, Frisco, Texas, Harbor Springs, Michigan, Beacon Lakes Golf Course in Dickinson, Texas, Legends Walk in Kissimmee, Florida, Tupelo Bay in South Carolina, etc. |
| Night golf courses in other countries | Dubai |
| Types of balls used in night golf | Glow-in-the-dark balls, LED balls |
| Other equipment used in night golf | Headlamps, flashlights, light bars, floodlights, stadium lights |
| Popularity of night golf | Likely to increase in the coming years |
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What You'll Learn
Night golf courses in the US
Night golf is definitely a thing, and while it might not be as popular as traditional golf, there are a number of night golf courses in the US.
There are around 16,000 golf courses in the United States, but less than 1% of them have lights. However, this could be changing, as interest in night golf is growing, and many in the golf industry feel that we are at the beginning of a night golf trend.
Some of the night golf courses in the US include:
- The Swing, a 10-hole, 770-yard night golf course at the new PGA of America campus in Frisco, Texas.
- A 9-hole short course in Harbor Springs, Michigan, opened by Boyne Golf in spring 2024.
- A 990-yard par 54 pitch & putt course in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York City.
- A 4,364-yard, par-64 18-hole course in Westchester, Los Angeles, which allows play until 10 pm every day.
- A 6-hole, 461-yard course for beginners in Plano, Texas, which stays lighted until 8 pm.
- An 18-hole, par-55, 2,024-yard course in Amarillo, Texas, which offers night golf year-round until midnight.
Night golf courses often use glow-in-the-dark balls, and some golfers have reported that these balls do not react to strikes like normal balls. However, night golf provides an opportunity for golfers to play after dark, and it can be a fun and social experience, with food, drinks, and music.
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Night golf equipment
Night golf is becoming increasingly popular, with many courses now offering night golf options. While the number of courses with lights is still relatively low, the trend is growing, and it is now easier than ever to set up your own night golf game.
There are several options for lighting up the course and making the game visible. Glow Gear Golf, for example, offers a range of night golf equipment, including glow balls, glow chargers, fairway and green lighting, glowing pin flags, and accessories. They also provide a UV ball charger, which charges a night golf ball to glow for 12 minutes, with a visible afterglow for hours.
Night Flyer Golf offers similar equipment, including LED golf balls, markers, glow bracelets, and golf cart decorations, to light up the course for a night game. They also provide glow sticks and patrol wands to help light up the course and make the game visible.
For those wanting to set up a more professional-looking course, Premier Glow offers a selection of course supplies to light up the course for tournaments, including lighting for the fairways and greens.
While night golf equipment is readily available, some golfers have noted that the glow balls do not perform as well as standard golf balls, with some even breaking clubs when hitting the glow balls. However, the GV1 Series of two-piece night golf balls is said to perform similarly to daytime golf balls.
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Professional night golf tournaments
Night golf has been featured in several professional tournaments. The DP World Tour (formerly known as the European Tour) experimented with night golf at the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic. The event saw the installation of state-of-the-art floodlights around the ninth and 18th greens, ensuring that all 132 players could complete their rounds before darkness fell.
The Dubai Moonlight Classic, hosted at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, was another professional night golf tournament. The Ladies European Tour (LET) hosted multiple editions of this tournament under LED lights, with Minjee Lee winning in 2020 and Bronte Law taking the title in 2021.
In the United States, the PGA of America's new campus in Frisco, Texas, features a 10-hole, 770-yard night golf course called "The Swing." Boyne Golf is also planning to open a lighted 9-hole short course in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Additionally, Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Arizona hosts Glowball, a night golf tournament that has become a leading activity in the Valley of the Sun. This event includes prepaid signups, with a requirement of a $5 donation to PGA Hope for military personnel and veterans.
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The appeal of night golf
Night golf is a real thing, and it could be the next big trend in the sport. There are already at least 22 night golf courses in the United States, with more likely to come. So, what's the appeal?
More Time to Play
Golf is a time-consuming hobby, and for many, it's not possible to fit in a round during the working week. With night golf, players can tee off after dark, making it possible to get in a quick nine holes after work or once the kids are in bed.
Social and Relaxed Atmosphere
Night golf brings a more relaxed and social vibe to the game. It's a great opportunity to hang out with friends, family, and beginners. Many night golf courses offer food, drinks, and music, creating a bowling alley-like atmosphere.
Unique Experience
Playing golf under the lights is a unique and fun experience. The use of glow-in-the-dark balls and LED lights adds to the excitement, creating a memorable and bucket-list-worthy experience.
Accessibility
Night golf courses are often shorter and quicker to play, making the sport more accessible to beginners and those with busy schedules. Some courses also offer free clubs and entry for children, further increasing accessibility for families.
Overcoming Obstacles
The addition of lights to golf courses helps to overcome some of the obstacles that golfers face, such as limited daylight during certain times of the year and the need to choose between golfing and spending time with family on the weekends.
With its combination of fun, flexibility, and accessibility, it's no surprise that night golf is gaining popularity and could soon be a major trend in the golfing world.
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The future of night golf
Night golf is already a thing in some parts of the world, but it could become much more popular in the future. There are currently only about 22 night golf courses in the United States, but that number could increase in the coming years. Many in the golf industry believe that we are at the beginning of a night golf trend.
One reason for this is the increased interest in par 3 courses, which are usually the only type of golf course to include lights. Par 3 courses have seen a dramatic increase in popularity in recent years, with Google searches for "par 3 golf near me" up more than 60% since the pandemic started. Additionally, 50% of new course openings in the United States over the last decade have been nine-hole layouts or short courses, which are quicker to play, easier for beginners, and less expensive.
Night golf could also be a way to make golf more accessible to people with busy schedules who may not be able to play during the day. It can also bring a more relaxed and social vibe to the game, making it more welcoming to younger golfers and families.
Some of the challenges of night golf include the need for additional lighting and the fact that glow balls and LED balls do not react to strikes like normal balls. However, these challenges can be overcome, and night golf could become a popular option for golfers in the future.
Overall, the future of night golf looks promising, with the potential for more courses to be lit up and a growing interest from golfers of all ages and skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, night golf is a thing. There are at least 22 night golf courses in the United States, spanning 13 different states.
Some places that offer night golf include Westchester in Los Angeles, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, NY, and the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
Night golf is played with light-up or glow-in-the-dark balls. The course is lit up with stadium lights or floodlights.
Night golf allows people to fit golf into their busy schedules. It also brings a more relaxed and social vibe, attracting younger golfers and families.
Night golf can be challenging to execute successfully. The glow balls may not react to strikes like normal balls, and the floodlights may not be bright enough.
