Harper Lin
Golf is a sport that is gaining popularity worldwide, with almost 40,000 golf courses across 206 countries and dependent territories. The majority of golf courses, 78-80%, are located in just 10 countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Germany, Australia, South Korea, and China. The United States has the most golf courses in the world, with over 16,000 courses, while the UK has the highest density of golf courses, with one course every 22.8 square miles.
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What You'll Learn
North America has 51% of the world's golf courses
Golf is a sport that has seen a surge in popularity around the world, with a notable increase in the number of players since the emergence of COVID-19. There are almost 40,000 golf courses globally, and North America is the continent with the most golf courses, accounting for 51% of the world's supply.
The USA alone boasts 43% of the world's golf courses, with 16,752 courses in total, according to a 2019 publication. This number increased to over 16,000 courses, according to a 2021 report. The United States is also home to the most top 100 courses in the world, with 49 or 52, depending on the source. However, only 10 of these are open for public play. The large number of courses in the USA is notable, given the country's vast landmass and low course density of just 0.004 courses per square mile.
Canada, the other country in North America with a significant number of golf courses, is also among the top 10 golfing nations. The high concentration of golf courses in North America may be due to the sport's popularity in the region and the continent's ability to cater to the infrastructure and maintenance requirements of golf courses.
While North America dominates the golf scene, other continents also have notable golf course offerings. Europe, for example, has the second-largest regional share with 23% of the world's total golf courses. England, in particular, stands out with 2,213 to 2,270 golf courses, depending on the source, making it the number one golfing country in Europe.
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The USA has 43% of the world's golf courses
Golf is a sport that is gaining popularity worldwide, with more people taking an interest in the game since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the R&A's "Golf Around the World" report published in 2021, there are 38,081 golf courses across 206 countries and dependent territories. However, the United States has 43% of the world's golf courses, which is more than any other nation. This amounts to a whopping 16,752 golf courses in total across the USA.
The USA's share of the world's golf courses is particularly notable given that the sport is less popular in the country than in other parts of the world. Additionally, the USA has a low course density of just 0.004 courses per square mile, indicating that the courses are spread out throughout the country. This is in contrast to other top golfing nations like the UK, which has a higher course density.
The high number of golf courses in the USA can be attributed to various factors. One reason may be that golf courses require a significant amount of land, and the USA has a vast land mass and a relatively low population density. Additionally, the USA generally has more wealth compared to other countries, which may contribute to the development and maintenance of golf courses.
The USA is not the only country with a large number of golf courses. North America as a whole accounts for 51% of the world's golf courses. Other regions with a significant number of golf courses include Europe, which has the second-largest regional share with 23% of the world's total. Within Europe, England stands out with 2,270 golf courses, followed by Germany with 1,050, and France with 804.
While the USA leads in the number of golf courses, other countries have higher course densities relative to their land area. For example, Japan has the second-highest number of golf courses globally and the highest course density among the top 5 countries, with one course every 46.5 square miles. Similarly, the UK is the most golf-centric nation in the top 10, with a course density of 0.033 per square mile.
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Europe has 23% of the world's golf courses
Golf is a sport that has seen a surge in popularity around the world, especially after the emergence of COVID-19. There are almost 40,000 golf courses globally, spread across 206 countries and dependent territories.
The United States leads the global count with over 16,000 courses, constituting 43% of the world's supply. North America as a whole has 51% of the world's golf courses.
Europe has the second-largest number of golf courses, with 23% of the world's total. This amounts to 8,940 golf courses, with 151 more under development at the time of the R&A's 2019 publication. England is the number one golfing country in Europe, with 2,270 golf courses, followed by Germany with 1,050, France with 804, Sweden with 662, and Scotland with 614.
The United Kingdom is the most golf-centric nation in the top 10, with a course density of 0.033 per square mile.
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The UK is the most golf-centric country in the top 10
Golf is a sport that is growing in popularity worldwide, with more people taking up the game since the emergence of COVID-19. There are 38,081 golf courses across 206 countries and territories, according to the R&A's "Golf Around the World" report from 2021. The vast majority of golf courses, 80%, are located in the top 10 golfing nations, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Germany, Australia, South Korea, and China.
The United States leads the global count with over 16,000 courses, but the UK is the most golf-centric country in the top 10. It has a course density of 0.033 per square mile, with England boasting 2,213 courses spread across 50,346 square miles, equating to one course every 22.8 square miles. Wales has one course every 43.5 square miles, Northern Ireland has one every 48.3 square miles, and Scotland has one every 50.6 square miles.
Canada is also noteworthy, with almost 150% of the courses per capita as the US. The climate in Canada is often cited as a reason for its high number of courses, as many golfers enjoy playing in colder weather. The United Kingdom, however, is widely considered to be the birthplace of golf, with St Andrews in Scotland particularly renowned as the "Home of Golf". This contributes to the UK's status as the most golf-centric country in the top 10.
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Japan is the only non-English-speaking country in the top 5
Golf is a sport that is gaining popularity worldwide, with more people taking up the game since the emergence of COVID-19. According to the R&A's "Golf Around the World" report, there are 38,081 golf courses across 206 countries and territories. The majority of these courses, 80%, are located in the top 10 golfing nations, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Germany, Australia, South Korea, and China. The United States leads the global count with over 16,000 courses, which is just over half of the number of courses in Europe (8,940).
Japan is an interesting exception in the global ranking, as it has the second-highest number of golf courses globally and is the only non-English-speaking country in the top 5. The sport is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, with Hideki Matsuyama, one of the best golfers in the world, inspiring a wave of young Japanese golfers. Japan has a relatively small landmass, and a high course density of one course every 46.5 square miles, second only to England.
Golf is widely considered to have originated in the United Kingdom, specifically in Scotland, and it remains incredibly popular there and in the rest of the UK and Ireland. Ireland, in particular, is considered the most popular country for the sport, with many beautiful courses and a strong legacy of golf greats. England is the number one golfing country in Europe, with 2,270 golf courses, and a high course density of one course every 22.8 square miles.
The United States is another country where golf is incredibly popular, with almost 10% of the population (almost 30 million people) playing the sport. Some of the most famous golfers of all time are from the US, including Tiger Woods, John Daly, and Jack Nicklaus. The social aspect of the sport also attracts many Americans to the golf course, as it has become part of the business culture for employees to meet on the links.
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Frequently asked questions
North America has the most golf courses, with the United States accounting for 43% of the world's golf courses.
There are almost 40,000 golf courses worldwide, with 38,081 golf courses across 206 countries and dependent territories, according to a 2021 report.
Europe has the second-largest regional share with 23% of the world's golf courses, amounting to 8,940 courses.
The United Kingdom has the highest density of golf courses, with one course every 22.8 square miles.
The United States has the most top 100 golf courses, with 52.
