Nina Caldwell
Golf is a popular sport worldwide, with varying levels of interest across different countries. While football is the most popular sport globally, golf holds a strong following in specific regions. The sport's popularity is often measured by the number of registered golfers and golf courses within a country, as well as participation rates. The United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Japan, and South Korea are among the countries with significant golf popularity. Factors such as renowned golfers, accessible courses, and cultural legacy contribute to the sport's prominence in these regions. Asia is also projected to become an emerging hotspot for golf in the near future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with the most golfers | The United States, the United Kingdom (including Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland), Japan, Canada, and Australia |
| Countries with a growing interest in golf | Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea |
| Countries with the most golf courses | The United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada |
| Countries with the most renowned golf courses | Ireland (including the Royal Dublin Golf Club, Cruit Island Golf Club, Adare Manor, and Hogs Head Golf Club), Scotland (considered the historic home of golf) |
| Countries with the highest consumer spending on golf | The United Kingdom (£4.3 billion in 2014, accounting for 14% of all consumer spending on sports) |
| Countries with the most major golf titles | The United States (home to Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and a large number of PGA Tour golfers) |
| Global popularity of golf | Golf is not one of the world's most popular sports, but it does have a strong following in certain countries and is expected to grow in popularity in Asia |
| Popularity of golf among women | Increasing, particularly in South Korea, where South Korean golfers have been dominating the LPGA Tour |
| Popularity of off-course golf | Rising, with a 55% increase in the number of people participating in off-course golf activities since 2019, and a record 19.1 million people participating in the US in 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Ireland: the most popular country for golf
Golf is a sport that is incredibly popular in many countries around the world. While it is subjective to rank the popularity of golf in different countries, Ireland is consistently mentioned as one of the top golfing destinations.
Ireland has a rich history of golf, with some suggesting the sport dates back to the 19th century in the country. The island is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world's natural links courses, and several exceptional championship courses. The Donegal Golf Club, for instance, is one of the most challenging courses in Ireland, while the Portmarnock Golf Club, located between the coastal towns of Wicklow and Arklow, has been described as having ""no greater finish in the world than its last five holes". Other notable courses include the Island Golf Club, County Louth Golf Club, County Sligo Golf Club, and the Royal Portrush in County Antrim, which hosts one of golf's top tournaments.
The beauty of Ireland's courses is also noteworthy, with many situated in spectacular locations. The Lahinch Golf Club, for example, is situated next to the beach of Liscannor Bay, offering a rugged and distinctive golfing experience. The Waterville Golf Links is another example, playing on a promontory surrounded by the sea.
Ireland's golf courses are not only known for their beauty and challenge but also for their accessibility. Visitors do not need to be members to play on most courses, and the clubs offer special rates and packages for guests, making it a welcoming destination for golfers from all over the world.
With its combination of world-class courses, stunning locations, and accessibility, it is no wonder that Ireland is considered one of the most popular countries for golf.
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The UK: birthplace of golf
The UK is widely considered to be the birthplace of golf. The game originated on the eastern coast of Scotland, where players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club. During the 15th century, the Scottish parliament of King James II banned the sport in 1457 as it interfered with military training. However, the ban was largely ignored, and in 1502, King James IV of Scotland became the world's first golfing monarch, granting the game royal approval. The popularity of the game quickly spread throughout 16th-century Europe, with King Charles I introducing it to England and Mary Queen of Scots taking it to France.
The first golf club in the world was formed in Scotland with the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith setting up an annual competition with silverware prizes in 1744. The first golf club outside of Scotland was the Royal Blackheath, near London, in 1766, and the first outside Britain was in Bangalore, India, in 1820. Golf became widely popular outside of Scotland in the late 19th century, with the birth of the railways allowing golf clubs to spring up across the countryside.
The UK's historical connection to golf is evident in the many renowned golf courses and clubs that dot the country. The St Andrews golf course in Scotland is considered the home of golf, and the country also boasts the prestigious Prestwick Golf Club, which hosted the forerunner to the British Open in 1860. The Royal Blackheath Golf Club in London traces its origins to the Prince of Wales and his courtiers, who played golf at Blackheath. The Pau Golf Club in southwestern France is the oldest in continental Europe.
The UK has produced some of the most famous names in golf history. Tom Morris and his son, Young Tom Morris, are legendary champions, with the latter winning the British Open a record four consecutive times from 1869. Golf's rich history and strong following in the UK continue to shape the country's cultural landscape, with the sport deeply ingrained in its recreational and social fabric.
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The US: home to golfers with the most major titles
Golf is a sport that is enjoyed by many people around the world. While it is not one of the major sports in the US, such as basketball, baseball, and football, it is still incredibly popular. The US is home to golfers with the most major titles and is also where the PGA Tour is largely made up of American golfers.
Jack Nicklaus, widely considered the greatest golfer of all time, is from the US and holds the record for the most major championship wins at 18. He has won the most PGA Championships with five and the most Masters Tournament victories, winning six times. Nicklaus also shares the record for the most U.S. Open wins with four.
Tiger Woods, another American golfer, is second on the list with 15 major wins. His most recent major victory was at the 2019 Masters. Walter Hagen, with 11 majors, is third.
While the US has a strong claim to being the most enthusiastic about golf, the United Kingdom is also a strong contender for this title. The UK is widely considered the birthplace of golf, with Scotland, England, and Wales all having many players. The sport is also popular in other countries, such as South Korea, which has been dominating the LPGA Tour, and Japan, the home of one of the best golfers in the world, Hideki Matsuyama.
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Japan: inspired by Hideki Matsuyama
Golf is a sport that is growing in popularity in Asia, and Japan is no exception. One of the key inspirations for the sport's rise in the country is the success of Hideki Matsuyama, widely regarded as one of the best golfers in the world. Matsuyama was born in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan, in 1992 and was introduced to golf at the age of four by his father.
Matsuyama's success in golf began at a young age. During his time at Meitoku Gijuku Junior & Senior High School, he transferred to a different school in search of a better golf environment. This decision paid off, as he went on to win the 2010 Asian Amateur Championship, which qualified him to compete as an amateur in the 2011 Masters Tournament. He was the first Japanese amateur to do so, and he won the Silver Cup as the leading amateur.
The following year, in 2012, Matsuyama reached number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He turned professional in 2013 and quickly rose through the ranks, winning his second professional tournament, the 2013 Tsuruya Open on the Japan Golf Tour. He then entered the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking after a top-10 finish at the 2013 US Open.
Matsuyama's success continued to grow, and he earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2014 Memorial Tournament. This was a significant achievement, as it was the first victory for a Japanese player since 2008. In 2016, he won the Japan Open and followed it up with a victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, becoming the first Asian golfer to claim a World Golf Championship.
As of 2025, Matsuyama has had 20 worldwide wins, including an Olympic bronze medal, ten career top-10 finishes in major championships, and six Presidents Cup appearances. He is the most successful Japanese member of the PGA Tour, with 11 wins. His accomplishments have inspired a wave of young Japanese golfers to pursue their professional aspirations, and he continues to be an ambassador for the sport in Japan.
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Canada: home to Golf Canada
While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan are considered to be the countries where golf is the most popular, Canada also has a strong interest in the sport. In fact, Canada is home to Golf Canada, the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in the country. Representing 271,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across Canada, Golf Canada was founded as the Canadian Golf Association on June 6, 1895, at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. The 'Royal' prefix was granted in June 1896 by Queen Victoria through the Governor General of Canada at the time, Lord Aberdeen, who was a patron of the association.
The first meeting to discuss the formation of a Canadian Golf Association was held in 1895, when the secretary of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Alex Simpson, invited clubs from across Canada to attend "the first national golf championship" and to discuss the organization of a national body with the mandate of conducting such events. The constitution was signed by ten clubs from across Canada, with two categories of membership in the RCGA: 'Allied', which referred to a regularly constituted golf club in Canada, and 'Associate', which required the club to have a golf course, clubhouse, and at least 25 members.
In 1901, the organization introduced the Canadian Ladies' Amateur Championship, which was held at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. This was followed by the first Canadian Open Golf Championship in 1904, which was also held at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. The first handicapping system sponsored by Canada was introduced in 1937, believed to be based on an American system using the five lowest scores of the current season. Today, Golf Canada offers a Handicap Index to help golfers track and improve their game.
Golf Canada also has a strong volunteer community and provides opportunities for Canadians to support golf in Canada both on and off the course. With a rich history and a dedicated community, Golf Canada continues to play a significant role in promoting and developing the sport in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Ireland is ranked #1 in the world for golf popularity.
Scotland is the birthplace of golf.
The United States could be at the top of the list when it comes to golf popularity.
Ireland has some of the best golf courses in the world, including the Royal Dublin Golf Club, Cruit Island Golf Club, Adare Manor, and Hogs Head Golf Club.
The United States is home to golfers with the most major titles, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
