National Golf Day, arriving Wednesday, is an annual event that celebrates the sport’s $84.1 billion contribution to the American economy, its $4 billion yearly charitable causes, and its impact on environmental sustainability while also offering the opportunity for athletes and fans to unite and show appreciation for one of the country’s most beloved sports.
The celebration also promotes the sport’s continued development and interest nationwide, including the growing competition between golf’s fiercest rivals, the PGA Tour versus LIV Golf. That new rivalry alone will make more added action as Ohio sports betting sites heats up for its first major golf season in 2023.
To salute National Golf Day (NGD), BetOhio.com – your source for Ohio sportsbook promo codes – decided to look at which of the 50 U.S. states are the most interested in the PGA Tour.
For LIV Golf fans, this chart will provide the states that will need more convincing to switch alliances and begin supporting golf’s newest league.
BetOhio.com utilized three combined data points to develop the rankings of the 50 U.S. States from most to least into the PGA Tour. We utilized World Population Review’s ranking of “Golf Courses Per Capita,” Google Trend’s search interest of the “PGA Tour” over the past 12 months, and extra points for the states with the most Top 30-ranked PGA events, based on Stadium Talk.
States That Love Golf and PGA Tour Most
Let’s see how Ohio ranks. Of course, these are not stats you will find on any of the multitude of Ohio sports betting apps.
Ohio an Impressive 3rd in Rankings
The state of Ohio has been on a roll when BetOhio.com does national rankings.
Just a week after we discovered that there are more Chipotle restaurants per capita in Ohio than any state, Ohio comes up big on golf as well.
Ohio placed third overall with 130 points. Of the top 10 states, only Arizona ranked higher in most golf courses per square mile. Ohio was fourth in the category of top-30 PGA Tour events. In fact, the annual Memorial Tournament will be held June 1-4 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
The pleasant spring and warm summer in the Buckeye State provide a rich landscape for golfers to play the sport.
Asssessing Other Top States
1. Florida: Often referred to as the “Golf Capital of the World,” Florida’s year-long warm weather, exclusive private golf clubs, and its massive adoration for the sport are the most important factors that serve as a testament to its love for the PGA Tour. Additionally, the state consists of the most golf courses per square mile in the country while hosting the best PGA events.
2. South Carolina: South Carolina is the birthplace of American golf, establishing the country’s first-ever golf club. Although it ranks in the lower half of golf courses per square mile on this list, it has the highest interest percentage among these states. And, of course, golfers flock to Myrtle Beach.
4. North Carolina: The sport has turned into one of the state’s best sources of tourist income, indicating that the Tar Heel State has no shortage of golf courses and PGA events. With a rich golf history, two of top collegiate golf programs in the country are in-state, in the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
5. Illinois: With hot summers and accessibility to golf courses scattered in the state, Illinois ranks fifth. Illinois has produced elite golfers and some of the earliest PGA tournaments.
