From a surprising surge in junior players to a boom in off-course entertainment, the landscape of golf is experiencing a dynamic and inclusive growth spurt, with over 45 million total participants now driving the game forward in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 26.6 million Americans participated in on-course golf at least once
- Golf participation in the US grew by 38% from 2016 to 2023, reaching 28.1 million core golfers
- 7.5 million junior golfers played on-course in the US in 2023
- Males aged 18-34 represent 22% of US golfers
- Females make up 25% of on-course golfers in US 2023
- Baby Boomers (55-74) comprise 40% of core US golfers
- California has 2.8 million golfers, highest in US
- Florida follows with 2.6 million golf participants
- Texas has 2.2 million golfers
- 40% of US golfers play 25+ rounds per year
- Average rounds per US golfer: 17 in 2023
- 22% play 50+ rounds annually
- Golf participation in US up 20% since 2020 low
- Projected 30 million on-course players by 2025 in US
- Female participation projected to reach 8 million by 2026
Golf participation in America is soaring with over forty-five million total players nationwide.
Demographic Breakdowns
- Males aged 18-34 represent 22% of US golfers
- Females make up 25% of on-course golfers in US 2023
- Baby Boomers (55-74) comprise 40% of core US golfers
- Millennials (27-42) account for 27% of US golf participants
- Gen X (43-56) represent 24% of US golfers
- Women aged 18-34 grew 50% in participation since 2019
- 72% of US golfers are male
- White non-Hispanics are 74% of US golfers
- 6% of US golfers are Hispanic/Latino women
- Black golfers increased 25% since 2021 to 2.4 million
- Asian Americans represent 5% of US golf participants
- Juniors (6-17) female participation doubled since 2019
- 45% of junior golfers are girls in US 2023
- High-income households (>$125k) comprise 50% of US golfers
- College-educated golfers make up 65% of participants
- Urban dwellers represent 55% of new golfers
- Suburban golfers are 70% of core players
- 18% of US golfers are aged 65+
- Women over 55 increased participation by 20%
- LGBTQ+ golfers estimated at 5-7% of total US participants
- Veterans represent 12% of US golfers
- Married individuals are 60% of golfers
- Parents with children under 18 are 35% of participants
- Single golfers grew 15% post-pandemic
- 28% of US female golfers are under 35
- Male juniors aged 12-17 play 20 rounds/year average
- Female participation in senior divisions up 18%
- Hispanic males 18-34 surged 40% in participation
Demographic Breakdowns Interpretation
Golf’s old-boys’-club vibe is getting a delightful reality check, as the surge of new, young, female, and diverse players tees up a future where the fairways might finally start looking like the rest of America.
Frequency of Play
- 40% of US golfers play 25+ rounds per year
- Average rounds per US golfer: 17 in 2023
- 22% play 50+ rounds annually
- Core golfers average 41 rounds/year
- Introductory golfers play average 4 rounds/year
- 35% of golfers play weekly or more
- Off-course average visits: 8 per year for participants
- Topgolf average 5 visits per visitor annually
- Women average 12 rounds/year vs men's 20
- Juniors average 15 rounds/year
- 28% of participants play 1-5 times/year
- 15% play 6-12 times/year
- Millennial golfers average 18 rounds/year
- Seniors average 22 rounds/year
- 60% of core golfers play at public courses monthly
- Driving range only users: 10 million annually average 20 visits
- Simulator users average 25 sessions/year
- Family groups play average 10 rounds together/year
- Corporate outings average 2 events per participant/year
- Tournament players average 12 events/year
- Lesson takers practice 30 hours/year average
- 50% of new golfers play 10+ times in first year
- Lapsed returnees average 14 rounds in comeback year
- Weekday play 40% of total rounds, weekend 60%
- Evening play rising 20% with lights
- Winter play in South 80% retention rate
- Mobile app users track 25% more rounds
- Social media engaged golfers play 5 more rounds/year
- Fitness-integrated golfers average 20 rounds
- 75% of frequent players use carts
- Walking golfers average 18% more frequent
Frequency of Play Interpretation
The heart of the game beats at a frenetic 41 rounds a year for its core devotees, yet it hums along on a gentle, broader rhythm of 17, sustained by a vast and wonderfully diverse chorus of weekend warriors, Topgolf socialites, lesson-taking strivers, returning prodigals, and walking purists, all united by the simple, stubborn pursuit of hitting a tiny ball toward a distant hole.
Geographic Distribution
- California has 2.8 million golfers, highest in US
- Florida follows with 2.6 million golf participants
- Texas has 2.2 million golfers
- New York state 1.1 million participants
- Midwest region accounts for 25% of US golfers
- Southeast US has 35% of national participation
- Northeast golfers number 4.5 million
- West Coast states 20% of total US golfers
- Arizona participation per capita highest at 12%
- South Carolina has 10% participation rate among adults
- Urban areas like NYC metro have 1.5 million golfers
- Rural participation declining 5% annually
- Pacific Northwest states combined 1.2 million
- Mountain states like Colorado 800,000 golfers
- Great Plains low density but 1 million total
- England has 2.8 million golfers
- Scotland 130,000 regular participants
- Ontario Canada leads with 1.2 million
- New South Wales Australia 400,000 golfers
- Tokyo Japan metro 2 million players
- Seoul South Korea 1.5 million urban golfers
- Bavaria Germany 600,000 participants
- Paris region France 500,000 golfers
- Dubai UAE emerging with 150,000 expat golfers
- Toronto Canada metro 800,000
- Midwest US cities like Chicago 700,000
- Sun Belt states combined 12 million golfers
- Northeast metros 3 million total
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
While California leads the nation with the sheer number of people who can lose a ball in style, the true soul of the game is a sun-drenched affair, with over a third of all American golfers happily sweltering in the Southeast.
Overall Participation
- In 2023, 26.6 million Americans participated in on-course golf at least once
- Golf participation in the US grew by 38% from 2016 to 2023, reaching 28.1 million core golfers
- 7.5 million junior golfers played on-course in the US in 2023
- Off-course golf participation reached 18.4 million Americans in 2023
- Total golf participants in the US hit 45 million in 2023 including on and off-course
- Globally, 60 million people played golf in 2022 according to The R&A
- US on-course golf rounds played totaled 547 million in 2023
- 41% of US golfers are millennials, contributing to participation growth
- Golf participation among women in the US reached 6.4 million on-course players in 2023
- Core golfers (8+ times/year) in US numbered 8.1 million in 2023
- Occasional golfers (1-7 times/year) totaled 18.5 million in US 2023
- Golf facilities in US saw 531 million rounds played in 2022
- 25 million Americans played golf on-course in 2021
- Participation rate among US adults aged 6+ was 8% for golf in 2023
- Driving ranges hosted 24 million participants in US 2023
- Topgolf venues attracted 32 million visitors in 2023
- 12.4 million lapsed golfers returned to the game since 2020 in US
- Golf participation in Canada reached 5.7 million in 2023
- UK golf participation was 5.8 million adults in 2022
- Australia had 1.2 million golfers in 2023
- Japan boasts 8 million registered golfers
- South Korea has 6.5 million golfers participating regularly
- Germany recorded 5.2 million golf participants in 2022
- France saw 2.4 million golfers in 2023
- India has over 2 million golf enthusiasts growing annually
- Brazil participation exceeds 500,000 golfers
- Mexico has 300,000 registered golfers
- US female participation grew 15% from 2021-2023 to 6.4 million
- Hispanic/Latino golfers in US reached 3.1 million in 2023
- Black/African American golfers numbered 2.4 million in US 2023
- 6.9 million Gen Z played golf in US 2023
Overall Participation Interpretation
Golf is no longer just a quiet walk spoiled, but a booming social sport where nearly 45 million Americans, from returning veterans to a new wave of millennials and Gen Z, are now happily sharing the frustration from Topgolf to the traditional fairway.
Trends and Projections
- Golf participation in US up 20% since 2020 low
- Projected 30 million on-course players by 2025 in US
- Female participation projected to reach 8 million by 2026
- Junior growth 25% expected next 5 years
- Off-course to grow 10% annually through 2027
- Diversity participation up 50% since 2019, ongoing trend
- Millennial retention projected at 70%
- Pace of play improvements to boost participation 15%
- Tech integration like apps to add 5 million players
- Sustainability efforts to attract 10% more eco-conscious
- Post-COVID surge stabilized at +2% annual growth
- Global participation to hit 65 million by 2025
- US rounds projected 600 million by 2027
- Public course demand up 12% long-term
- Resort golf growing 8% with travel recovery
- Youth programs to double girls' participation
- Aging population to sustain senior play +5%/year
- Urban simulators to add 3 million off-course
- International travel golf up 20% post-pandemic
- E-sports golf crossover projected 1 million new
- Health focus to increase frequency 10%
- Social media influence on new players +30%
- Course development lag may cap growth at 28 million
- Economic recovery to boost high-end play 15%
- Climate adaptation for 90% course retention
- Women-led growth to 30% market share by 2030
- Gen Z entry rate 40% higher than prior gens
- Lapsed recovery ongoing, 20% more returns expected
- Hybrid events to increase engagement 25%
- Mental health benefits driving 12% uptick
- Corporate wellness programs to add 2 million
Trends and Projections Interpretation
Golf is having a spectacular mid-life renaissance, deftly swapping its stuffy cardigans for tech-friendly polo shirts as it lures a refreshingly diverse, young, and eco-conscious crowd onto both lush fairways and urban simulators.
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