Jackson Reid
Golf is a popular sport in the United States, with the number of golfers continuously rising over the past few decades. In 2024, a record 47.2 million Americans played golf in some form, with 28 million of these playing on a course, the highest number since 2008. This equates to around 11-12% of the US population, with a further 20 million 'virtual golfers' playing through simulators. The number of golfers increased during the pandemic, with people seeking socially distant outdoor activities, and golf has seen a diversification of its player base, with more women and people of colour taking up the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of on- and off-course golfers | 47.2 million |
| Percentage of the U.S. population | 11% |
| Number of people who played golf for the first time in 2024 | 3.4 million |
| Number of people who played golf on a course in 2024 | 28 million |
| Percentage of female golfers | 23-43% |
| Percentage of golfers who are people of color | 25-45% |
| Number of Americans who played golf on a course in 2021 | 25.1 million |
| Number of Americans who played golf on a course in 2020 | 36.9 million |
| Number of Americans who played golf on a course in 2019 | 24.3 million |
| Number of Americans who played golf on a course in 2013 | 465.5 million |
| Percentage of people aged 18-64 who have expressed interest in golf | 24% |
| Number of "virtual golfers" | 20 million |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's growing diversity
Golf is experiencing a surge in popularity, with more than one-third of the US population playing golf in some form in 2023. This surge in popularity is visible both on and off the course, with more people watching golf than ever before.
The sport has seen a shift in its community, with a notable increase in female participation. Women and girls have been particularly impactful in driving the sport's post-pandemic growth, accounting for approximately 60% of the net gain in green grass golfers since 2019. In 2024, 28% of the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course were female, the highest proportion ever recorded. This is a significant increase compared to 2012, when females accounted for only 20% of on-course golfers. The female golfer population has now reached nearly 7.9 million, an all-time high. Girls now represent over one-third of junior golfers, a substantial rise from just 15% in 2000.
There has also been a dramatic increase in racial and ethnic diversity among golfers. In 2024, there were almost 7 million Black, Asian, and Hispanic on-course golfers, a record total. This is in contrast to 1990, when People of Color represented only 8% of green grass golfers. By 2000, this representation rose to 16%, in part due to the emergence of Tiger Woods. Among the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course in 2024, 25% were Black, Asian, or Hispanic, the highest proportion ever recorded. The participation among Asian, Black, and Hispanic golfers has surged by 43%, indicating robust growth within these communities.
Golf's off-course participant pool is even more diverse. Females comprise 43% of the over 19 million Americans who play off-course forms of golf exclusively, while People of Color make up 45% of this group. Introductions and engagement away from the golf course have benefited the traditional game, with record numbers of beginners getting out on a golf course for the first time. This is partly due to the comfort and competency gained from hitting a ball with a club at golf entertainment venues, indoor simulators, or tech-enabled ranges. The record levels of participation and representation suggest that golf is becoming more reflective of America's changing demographics, and the industry's efforts to create a more inclusive environment are paying off.
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Women and girls driving growth
Golf is growing in popularity in the United States. In 2023, 11% of the US population played golf, either on or off the course. This amounts to over 36.9 million Americans playing golf in some form.
Women and girls have been key to the sport's growth, especially in the post-pandemic era. Since 2019, there has been a net increase of 2.3 million female golfers playing on the course. In 2024, 28% of the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course were female, the highest proportion ever recorded. This is a significant increase from 2012, when females accounted for only 20% of on-course golfers. The female golfer population has now reached nearly 7.9 million, an all-time high.
The growth in female golfers is also reflected in the off-course golf participant pool, which includes golf entertainment venues, indoor simulators, and tech-enabled ranges. Females comprise 42-43% of the over 18.5-19 million Americans who play these off-course forms of golf exclusively. The comfort and competency gained in these more accessible and less intimidating environments have encouraged more women and girls to try traditional golf.
The increase in female golfers is part of a broader trend of golf becoming more inclusive and reflective of America's changing demographics. The industry's efforts to create a more welcoming environment are paying off, with the sport attracting more diverse participants and setting the stage for continued growth and diversity.
The growth in female golfers is also evident in the number of beginners and juniors taking up the sport. Females make up a larger proportion of these groups than their representation among on-course participants overall, indicating that golf is appealing to a new generation of female players. This bodes well for the future of women's golf, with another 7 million+ females expressing interest in trying the traditional game.
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Golf's popularity
Golf is a popular sport in the United States, with the country boasting over 10,000 golf facilities, many of which are open to the public. The sport's popularity is partly due to its accessibility across the country and its appeal to people of all ages, including men, women, and children, making it ideal for family outings.
According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of golfers in the US has been steadily rising, with 25.1 million Americans playing golf on a course in 2021, an increase of 800,000 golfers since 2019. In 2020, 3 million Americans played golf on a course for the first time, and this trend continued into 2021, with a record 3.2 million newcomers. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including the influence of Tiger Woods and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in families playing golf together.
The popularity of golf in the US is also reflected in the diverse range of participants. In 2024, among the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course, 28% were female, and 25% were Black, Asian, or Hispanic, representing the highest proportions ever recorded. This shift towards greater diversity in golf is also evident in off-course participants, with females comprising 43% and People of Color making up 45% of the over 19 million Americans who play off-course golf exclusively.
The growth of interactive and off-course golf experiences has also played a significant role in attracting new players. Destinations like Topgolf, indoor simulators, and simulator lounges have lowered the intimidation factor and time commitment associated with traditional golf. In 2023, nearly 33 million people participated in off-course golf activities, with about two-thirds being new to the sport. Additionally, advancements in technology have made instructional tools more accessible, enhancing the learning experience for beginners.
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Golf's expensive entry barrier
Golf has long been regarded as a sport with a high barrier to entry due to its expense. The cost of golf equipment, green fees, and lessons has traditionally been a deterrent for many potential golfers. Golf clubs, for example, are now more expensive to make than ever before due to improvements in technology. This, combined with the high cost of greens fees and the average capital investment necessary for new organizations to enter the market, makes it a costly sport to pick up.
The golf industry has made efforts to address this issue and make the sport more financially accessible. Initiatives such as affordable golf club sets, discounted green fees for beginners, and junior golf programs have been introduced. However, there are few solutions to the underlying problems of production and running costs.
In addition to the financial barrier, golf also has a time barrier. A regulation round is 18 holes, which takes the average golfer 5.5 hours. This time commitment is often incompatible with the time pressures of modern life, particularly for beginners with families.
There have been suggestions to change the standard for casual golfers to 9 holes, which would lower the barrier to entry for beginners and increase profits for golf courses. However, this proposal faces opposition from traditionalists.
The expensive and time-consuming nature of golf has likely contributed to the sport's decline in popularity, especially among younger people. Golf is worried about attracting fewer young players, and the industry is actively working to lower the barriers to entry and make the sport more accessible and inclusive.
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Golf's pandemic boom
Golf has experienced a notable surge in popularity in the United States in recent years, with the sport witnessing a significant boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in participation has contributed to a broader trend of rising golfer numbers in the country, which has been influenced by various factors.
The pandemic played a pivotal role in golf's recent boom in the US. With people seeking socially distant outdoor activities, golf emerged as an appealing option. This trend was further bolstered by families playing golf together, as it provided a safe and enjoyable recreational outlet during challenging times. The impact of the pandemic on golf's popularity is evident from the statistics. In 2020, 3 million Americans played golf on a course for the first time, a significant increase from previous years. This influx of new golfers continued, with 3.2 million newcomers taking to the course in 2021.
The pandemic's effect on golf participation extended beyond a temporary increase in player numbers. Many of those who took up golf during the pandemic continued playing, resulting in an overall rise in rounds played. From 2019 to 2020, there was a sharp 13.9% national increase in rounds played, followed by another 5.5% jump from 2020 to 2021. This trend was particularly noticeable at public courses, with a 6.7% increase in rounds played in 2021 compared to 2020.
The pandemic accelerated a broader shift towards golf, which has been gaining traction in the US for several years. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of on-course golfers in the US has been steadily increasing. There were 25.1 million on-course golfers in 2021, surpassing 25 million for the first time since at least 2016. This trend continued into 2024, with an estimated 28 million on-course golfers, the highest number since 2008.
The growth in golf participation has been accompanied by a diversification of the player base. Women and girls have been key drivers of this growth, accounting for approximately 60% of the net gain in green-grass golfers since 2019. The number of female golfers reached nearly 7.9 million in 2024, an all-time high. Additionally, racial and ethnic diversity has increased significantly. In 2024, there were almost 7 million Black, Asian, and Hispanic on-course golfers, a record total. This shift towards inclusivity is a result of the industry's efforts to foster a more welcoming environment, attracting a broader range of players.
The pandemic's impact on golf's popularity has had a lasting effect, with the sport experiencing a sustained boom even after the initial surge. Golf's accessibility, appeal to diverse demographics, and the industry's proactive measures to encourage participation have all contributed to its enduring growth. With the sport's increasing presence across the country, golf is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory in the years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
11% of the US population played some form of golf, either on or off the course. This equates to around 47.2 million people.
28 million people played on-course golf, also known as "green-grass golf". This is the highest number since 2008.
There were approximately 3.4 million newcomers to on-course golf in 2024, a record number.
The participant pool is becoming more diverse. In 2024, 28% of on-course golfers were female, and 25% were Black, Asian, or Hispanic. This is the highest proportion of female golfers ever recorded, and a dramatic increase in racial and ethnic diversity compared to 1990, when People of Color represented just 8% of golfers.
There are about 20 million "virtual golfers" in the US, and the number of Americans using golf simulators reached about 6.2 million in 2023.
