Golf rounds data in winter continues to show positive signs in new figures released by the Australian Golf Industry Council.

Competition rounds for July 2013 were up 5.6% on July 2012, an increase of nearly 57,000 rounds played nationally.

The strongest state results were recorded in New South Wales and Victoria, up 7.6% and 8% respectively.

Slight declines occurred in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

On a Year-to-Date basis, the national growth pattern is trending 5.5% up on the same 7 months last year.

Regional data shows both metropolitan and non-metropolitan competition rounds are tracking fairly evenly at the national level, with regional South Australia the only market trending in a different direction to its metropolitan market.

Last month the Council’s data showed competition rounds had grown by 5.4% to more than 13.1 million for the full 2012-2013 financial year.

Golf Australia CEO and AGIC Chairman Stephen Pitt said winter competition data was trending in a positive direction.

“There is no doubt that winter is generally a quieter period for foot traffic through Australian golf clubs, particularly in the southern states, but it’s pleasing to see more rounds being played than the same time last winter, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria,” Pitt said.

“With the new financial year underway, facility managers can continue to measure their own performance against the market trends, helping to put their own facility results into perspective.\"

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) was established in late 2006 to provide a forum to help unite the industry on agreed industry wide initiatives.

Membership includes: Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Australian Ladies Professional Golf, Australian Sporting Goods Association, Golf Australia, Golf Management Australia, PGA of Australia and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.