The estimation of economic contributions, activity, and impacts from industries, businesses, and events is a cornerstone of the regional economic development field, yet the approaches used to conduct such studies are rarely discussed in detail. Although Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) input—output economic modeling software and other regional models have become the standard, many industries, such as golf, are not represented in baseline data and therefore the model must be customized to facilitate regional analysis of these specific sectors. Using primary data collection techniques of both golf course operators and golfers in Colorado, both the backward linkages of the golf course industry and the stemming-from effects of the golf-related tourism expenditures were estimated and incorporated into the IMPLAN regional input—output modeling system. The customized IMPLAN model found the contribution of the golf industry's economic activity from both golf course operations and tourist expenditures to be $1.6 billion.
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