Nina Caldwell
Golf is a sport that can be played almost anywhere, from a person's home to a golf course. In 2005, Golf Digest calculated that the countries with the most golf courses per capita were Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales, the United States, Sweden, and England. The United States has the highest number of golf courses in the world, with 43% of the total, and it also has the second-highest number of golfers in the world, with 25 million people playing on a golf course in 2020. Golf's popularity has been increasing, especially among younger and more diverse demographics, with the number of rounds of golf played in the US in 2021 being the highest ever.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses in the world | The US has 43% of the world's golf courses, with Japan in second place. Combined, the two countries account for 51% of golf courses worldwide. |
| Countries with the most golf courses per capita | Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales, the United States, Sweden, and England |
| Number of people playing golf in the US | 25 million in 2020 |
| Percentage of US population playing golf | 8% |
| Gender breakdown of US golfers | 77% male, 22% female |
| Number of junior golfers in the US | 3 million |
| Number of new golfers in the US | 3 million |
| Number of young golfers in the US (18-34 age group) | 6 million |
| Median age of a golfer in the US | 54 |
| Number of professional golfers in the US | 7,000 (92% male, 8% female) |
| Percentage of golfers drinking while playing | 22% consume 1-2 drinks, 67% do not drink at all |
| Percentage of off-course golf participants in the US | 48% |
| Time taken to complete a 9-hole round | 2 hours |
| Time taken to complete an 18-hole round | 4 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Golf in the United States
Golf is a popular sport in the United States, with around 25 million people playing on a golf course in 2020, according to the National Golf Foundation. This figure represents approximately 8% of the total population of the country. While the majority of golfers are male (77%), there is a growing number of female golfers, who currently make up around 22% of the golfing population. The sport is particularly popular among older individuals, with a median age of 54, although younger players are slowly starting to join the sport, with almost 6 million players in the 18-34 age group.
The United States is home to many renowned golf courses, including those featured in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" list. This list, which has been published since 1966, ranks golf courses based on evaluations submitted by panelists who judge courses on a 1-10 scale across six scoring categories. Some of the courses that have been featured on this prestigious list include Aronimink, designed by Donald Ross in 1928, and Crooked Stick, founded by Pete Dye, which hosted the 1991 PGA Championship.
The PGA Tour, established by the PGA of America in 1929, is the main professional golf tour in the United States. It organizes several notable tournaments, including The Players Championship and the Tour Championship. Additionally, the LPGA Tour, founded in 1950, serves as the main women's professional tour, featuring major championships and national golf opens.
Golf has a significant economic impact in the United States, with USGA championships generating $250 million in local economic impact, according to the United States Golf Association. This impact extends beyond the professional level, as most players participate in casual games, contributing to the vibrant golf culture in the country.
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Golf in the United Kingdom
Golf has a long history in the United Kingdom, with the game believed to have been introduced to the country in the early 17th century when James VI of Scotland became King of England. The sport has since become a beloved pastime for many in the UK, with thousands of ranges and courses spread across the country.
The UK is home to some of the world's most renowned golf courses, attracting golfers from all over the globe seeking to experience the sport's rich heritage and challenge themselves on championship-level links. The Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, is often referred to as the "Home of Golf", having hosted the most Opens of any course. Its fairways are considered hallowed ground for golfers, and it has earned its reputation as one of the world's top golfing destinations.
England boasts a diverse array of golf courses, from the aesthetically pleasing Sunningdale Golf Club in Surrey, with its 36 holes spread across old and new courses, to the exclusive Swinley Forest Golf Club, also situated on the famous sand belt. For those seeking a coastal challenge, the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport offers a fair yet demanding course, rewarding precision and strategy. Other notable mentions include the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, Ganton Golf Club, and St Enodoc Golf Club in Cornwall, which offers a hilly links course amidst towering sand dunes.
Scotland, the birthplace of golf, presents golfers with a unique blend of history and stunning landscapes. Beyond the famous St Andrews, golfers can tee off at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Antrim, which features the Dunluce links named after the ruined Dunluce Castle overlooking the course. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG), or Muirfield as it is commonly known, is the world's oldest golf club with a rich history dating back to 1744. For scenic beauty, the Ailsa course at the Turnberry Resort offers breathtaking views of the Firth of Clyde and the Mull of Kintyre.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned golfer, the UK provides a plethora of options to practice and play golf. With its range of pay-as-you-play courses, golf clubs, and driving ranges, the UK caters to golfers of all skill levels and preferences.
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Golf in Japan
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country. The sport can be played year-round, except in snowy regions where courses close in winter. There are a variety of courses for golfers of all budgets and skill levels, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and Okinawa, offering beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.
In the past, golf in Japan was fairly expensive and exclusive. However, nowadays, a large majority of courses are open to the public, and it is common to pay between 7,000 and 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including lunch and a golf cart, especially on weekdays. Prices are usually higher on weekends, during peak seasons, and near large cities. Rental clubs and caddies may be available for an additional fee, although English-speaking caddies are rare.
Making reservations at golf courses can be challenging for foreign visitors, as only a few courses allow for easy reservations in English. However, there are websites that offer tee time booking services in English, and foreign visitors can also make reservations through travel agents or their hotel concierge, or stay at a hotel resort with a golf course.
Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, offers unforgettable sights, cuisine, and shopping, as well as golf experiences. The city has numerous golf stores and 24/7 golf simulator establishments. The Edogawa line short course provides a unique outdoor golf experience, offering a relaxing atmosphere with no dress code and scenic views of the skytree and passing trains. For those seeking a driving range, the Toranomon Golf Plaza is a rooftop range with targets that create a batting cage-like experience for golfers.
Outside of Tokyo, the Lotte Kasai Range is a highly regarded 300-bay, 250-metre Toptracer range located 25-30 minutes from Tokyo Station by train. The Kagoshima Prefecture, in the southern tip of Kyushu, offers a mix of history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage. The Spa & Golf Resort Kuji in Kagoshima combines golf with the tranquility of a spa retreat, featuring a strategically crafted 18-hole course.
With its mix of traditional and modern attractions, rich history, and natural wonders, Japan offers a unique golfing experience alongside a wealth of cultural and leisure activities.
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Golf in South Africa
Golf is a popular sport in South Africa, with over 450 golf courses across the country. The Western Cape province has the most courses, but golf is also found in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal, among other regions. The country offers a unique golfing experience, combining world-class golf with safari adventures and breathtaking natural landscapes.
One of the most famous golf courses in South Africa is the Gary Player Country Club, known for the "Million Dollar Golf Challenge." Designed by Gary Player, the course is one of the longest in the country. Another renowned course is Leopard Creek, located on the edge of the Kruger National Park, offering a blend of golf and safari experiences.
The Links course at Fancourt opened in 2000, provides a challenging and distinctive South African golfing adventure. The estate features three 18-hole courses and a nine-holer exclusively for members, homeowners, and hotel guests. Erinvale Golf Club, also a Gary Player design, is located in Somerset West near Cape Town. It offers two contrasting nines, with the front nine featuring water hazards and the back nine traversing the slopes of the Helderberg mountain.
De Zalze, set outside Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, is one of South Africa's most scenic golf estates. It served as the venue for the 2006 World Amateur Team Championships, where the South African women's team won the Espirito Santo Trophy. Royal Johannesburg's West Course is another notable golf destination, featuring a shorter layout than its adjoining championship East Course.
Golf tours in South Africa offer a combination of golf, wildlife, and cultural experiences. The Sun City Resort provides an ultimate family holiday with world-class golf and safari options. The Zimbali Golf Holiday offers great value on the North Coast. Golfers can also explore Table Mountain, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and indulge in wine tastings at Cape Town wine farms.
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Golf in the sport's birthplace, Scotland
Golf is believed to have originated in Scotland, with the modern game spreading from there to the rest of the world. The sport is said to have originated on the eastern coast of Scotland, near Edinburgh, where players used bent sticks or clubs to hit pebbles over sand dunes. Despite a ban on the sport in 1457 by the Scottish parliament of King James II, it gained popularity when King James IV purchased a set of golf clubs in 1502, becoming the world's first golfing monarch.
The first golf courses and clubs were established in Scotland, with the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith forming the first club in 1744 and hosting the first international golf match in 1682. The first written rules of golf were also established in Scotland, along with the 18-hole course. The game gained further prominence when it was introduced to England by King Charles I and to France by Mary, Queen of Scots.
Scotland has 587 golf courses, the most per head of any country, with the majority located in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The country promotes itself as the "Home of Golf," and the sport is considered a key part of Scottish culture, enjoyed by people across the social spectrum. Council-owned courses with low fees and easy access are common throughout Scotland, particularly in the Lowlands.
The Old Course at St Andrews, a charitable trust, and Musselburgh Links are notable public courses in Scotland. The Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course at Hill of Tarvit is also unique, offering a glimpse into the past as the last remaining dedicated hickory golf course in the UK. With its rich history and abundance of golf courses, Scotland is undoubtedly a premier destination for golfers.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf is one of the most popular sports in America, with almost 10% of the population playing it. It is also very popular in the United Kingdom, which is considered to be the birthplace of golf. Other countries with a strong interest in golf include Ireland, Canada, Scotland, Japan and South Africa.
The modern game of golf originated in 15th-century Scotland. However, the ancient origins of the game are unclear and much debated. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, while others cite chuiwan, a game played in China during the Ming dynasty.
Some popular golf destinations include Ireland, which has many famous golf courses that are open to the public, and the United States, which has legendary golf courses like Pinehurst, Pine Valley, Augusta National, and Cypress Point. Japan is also an increasingly popular golf destination, with over 1000 golf clubs across the country.
