Sunday, October 4, 2026

At-Home Golf Equipment Sales Surge

  • Sales of golf nets and screens were up 221% year over year in December.
  • From bicycling to snowshoeing, various outdoor activities have seen a pandemic-induced surge in interest.
Erin Bormett/Argus Leader

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

From bicycling to snowshoeing, various outdoor activities have seen a pandemic-induced surge in interest. New sales numbers show that the trend is diversifying. 

“While this trend has shined since March, different products are rising to the top of the fastest-growing list month over month,” said Matt Powell, vice president and senior industry advisor at The NPD Group. 

Highest growth sports goods in outdoor and recreation categories in December:

  • Golf nets and screens — Up 221% year over year
  • Electric bicycles — Up 189% 
  • Portable power — Up 156% 
  • Standup paddle boards — Up 151% 
  • Pilates reformers — Up 140% 

“Consumers continue to invest in various equipment they would typically be using in a gym or studio,” Powell added. “The growth in portable power tells us that consumers are extending their home into their yards and hitting the trails, bringing the modern day essentials along with them.”

Backcountry-related equipment sales in the U.S. grew 76% in the first few months of last year’s snow season, according to The NPD Group.

Prior to that, bike sales were up nearly two-thirds over the prior year in the spring.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jonathan Vaughters Defends Late-Night Tour de France Drug Tests 

“Do you want the appearance of clean, or do you want clean and fair?”

Late-Night Drug Tests Spark Backlash, Intrigue at Tour de France

Riders are pushing back on rare overnight anti-doping tests.
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 9 - Malemort to Ussel - Malemort, France - July 12, 2026 UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Tadej Pogacar wearing the yellow jersey, UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Isaac Del Toro wearing the white jersey and Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Jonas Vingegaard wearing the polka-dot jersey in action as a spectator dressed in a costume cheers on during stage 9

Tadej Pogačar Says Heat Demands Tour de France Overhaul

Stage 9 was cut by 18.6 miles under a red alert.

What’s Harder Than Biking 10,000 Miles? Buying World Cup Tickets

Three fans biked from Argentina to Kansas City, but don’t have tickets.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Caleb Williams’s Investment Playbook: ‘No Vices’

The Bears QB has put money into sports, tech, and wellness start-ups.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Reggie Bush speaks on unionizing college football players during the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Club of Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
March 5, 2026

Former NFL Pros Launch PE Firm for Emerging Leagues

Terrence C. Murphy and Reggie Bush are targeting $150 million for their debut fund.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Pro Team Valuations Are Set to Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
December 27, 2025

‘Why Not the Dodgers?’: How Billie Jean King Became an LA Owner

“Getting involved with the Dodgers literally changed our lives,” Ilana Kloss says.
December 23, 2025

Ben Simmons Buys a Sport Fishing Team

“I think I can really help this league grow,” Simmons told FOS.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp mascot Scampi waves to fans during Opening Day baseball against the Gwinnett Stripers on March 29, 2024.
December 17, 2025

Private Equity Dives Further Into Minor League Baseball

Seven MiLB teams have changed hands in the last week.