Key Highlights
- Over 23 million people worldwide play golf regularly
- The average golf handicap for male golfers in the United States is approximately 14.3
- The average golf handicap for female golfers in the United States is approximately 27.4
- Golfers with a handicap of 0 are considered scratch golfers
- The lowest possible golf handicap is 0, indicating a scratch golfer
- Nearly 60% of golfers worldwide are male
- The median handicap of all amateur male golfers in the US is around 15.5
- The median handicap of all amateur female golfers in the US is around 27.4
- About 80% of golf rounds are played on courses with a handicap system
- The average number of rounds played per year by a recreational golfer is approximately 20
- The average golf score for men in the US is around 100, while for women it’s around 113
- The percentage of golfers who own their own golf equipment is over 90%
- The number of golf courses worldwide exceeds 37,000
Golf is more than a pastime—it’s a global phenomenon with over 23 million players worldwide, yet only a tiny fraction, less than 2%, reach the elusive scratch level with a handicap of 0; so, what exactly does your handicap say about your game?
Demographics and Player Profiles
- Nearly 60% of golfers worldwide are male
- The average age of male golfers in the US is approximately 45 years
- The average age of female golfers in the US is approximately 43 years
- The number of youth golfers (under 18) accounts for roughly 20% of the total golfing population
- Nearly 45% of golf participants are aged between 35 and 54
Demographics and Player Profiles Interpretation
Golf Course and Facility Statistics
- The number of golf courses worldwide exceeds 37,000
- The average length of a golf course is approximately 6,500 yards
- Golf difficulty, as measured by the course rating, typically ranges from 67 to 75 on a 72-par course
- The average club membership fee for golf clubs ranges from $2,000 to over $10,000 annually
- 10% of golf courses worldwide have implemented eco-friendly or sustainable practices
Golf Course and Facility Statistics Interpretation
Golf Equipment and Technology Market
- The percentage of golfers who own their own golf equipment is over 90%
- The percentage of golfers who use golf GPS devices or rangefinders is approximately 70%
- The global golf equipment market size is valued at over $10 billion
- On average, a golfer spends about $300 annually on golf equipment
- The percentage of amateur players who have upgraded their equipment within the last year is around 30%
- The number of golf simulators sold globally has increased by over 40% since 2019
- The number of golf-related mobile apps available exceeds 2,500 globally
- On average, women’s golf clubs cost about 20% less than men’s clubs, depending on the brand and quality
Golf Equipment and Technology Market Interpretation
Golf Participation and Behavior
- Over 23 million people worldwide play golf regularly
- About 80% of golf rounds are played on courses with a handicap system
- The average number of rounds played per year by a recreational golfer is approximately 20
- 25% of golf rounds are played on private courses
- About 10% of golfers play consider themselves professional or semi-professional
- The popularization of golf simulators has increased the ability to practice year-round by over 30%
- Nearly 65% of golfers play at least once a month
- The average number of golf courses a golfer visits per year is about 4, with many playing more on local courses
- Digital apps for tracking golf scores and handicaps have been downloaded over 50 million times worldwide
- The percentage of amateur golfers who use coaching or lessons regularly is around 25%
- The number of women participating in golf worldwide is estimated at about 4 million
- The average time to complete a 9-hole round is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
- About 40% of amateur golfers play at least twice a month
- The percentage of golfers who participate in golf tournaments or competitions regularly is roughly 15%
Golf Participation and Behavior Interpretation
Golf Performance and Handicap Data
- The average golf handicap for male golfers in the United States is approximately 14.3
- The average golf handicap for female golfers in the United States is approximately 27.4
- Golfers with a handicap of 0 are considered scratch golfers
- The lowest possible golf handicap is 0, indicating a scratch golfer
- The median handicap of all amateur male golfers in the US is around 15.5
- The median handicap of all amateur female golfers in the US is around 27.4
- The average golf score for men in the US is around 100, while for women it’s around 113
- The USGA’s World Handicap System was implemented in 2020, unifying different handicap systems worldwide
- Scratch golfers (handicap 0) make up less than 2% of amateur players
- Approximately 15% of golfers have a handicap index of 0 or better, denoting scratch or better
- The average score for professional male golfers on Tour is around 70, indicating a handicap of around 4 or 5
- The average score for professional female golfers on the LPGA Tour is around 71, indicating a handicap of roughly 3
- The median golf score for scratch male golfers is approximately 72, while for scratch female golfers it is 77
- The average reduction in handicap for players taking lessons is approximately 5 strokes over one year
- The most common handicap index among amateur golfers is around 15 for men and 27 for women
- The average golfer’s handicap increases by about 0.5 strokes annually if no practice is undertaken
- The average handicap index for male amateurs in the US is around 14, while for females it is around 27
- The world record for the lowest score on a single round of golf is 55 strokes, achieved by several professionals
- About 70% of golf players in the US have a handicap index below 20, indicating a mid-to-high handicap level
Golf Performance and Handicap Data Interpretation
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2SCGAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3USGAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4WORLDGOLFResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5GOLFResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6GOLFLINKResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7NCGAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8GAMEDEVELOPERResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9SPORTSSHIRESResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10PGATOURResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 11LPGAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 12GOLFDIGESTResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 13GREENROOFSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 14GOLFPASSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 15APPANNIEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source