The number of registered golfers in Germany rises notably, especially among younger people, but golf remains predominantly older.
“Golf in Germany sparks more interest today than ever before.” With these words, DGV President Claus M. Kobold announced the growth of registered golfers in Germany at the German Golf Association’s annual kick-off. As of September 30, 2025, the number of DGV memberships rose by 1.3% to 695,617 registered golfers at DGV-affiliated courses. Golf has been growing almost continuously since 2021. The DGV hopes to surpass the magic 700,000 membership mark next year.
More Golfers in Germany Than Ever Before
Notably, the number of golfers has increased especially in the 19- to 40-year age group, contrary to the population trend in Germany. This trend, which began the previous year, continued into 2025 with growth of 7.45% compared to the previous year. While the German Golf Association was unsure last year about the reasons for this growth, this year they have some hypotheses. “The association believes modern communication methods, digital interaction, and a contemporary golf image are paying off,” said Achim Battermann, Deputy President of the DGV, in a press release. Golf clubs that engage interested golfers via social media and an improved image of golf in Germany may be key factors.
Golfers Aged 60+ Still Predominate
Golf remains primarily an older person’s sport. The largest age group in Germany is 60 years and older, comprising 46.9% of all registered golfers. This rate is slightly lower than in Denmark (47.4%) and France (49.4%) but significantly older than markets such as Sweden (31.91%) or Spain (37.18%). The German Golf Association considers this relaxed due to rising youth participation. “Our data clearly shows that people remain loyal to golf for decades, while a younger generation is emerging – a very healthy combination,” said Alexander Klose, Board Member for Services, Law, and Communication. However, more must be done to halt the trend of golfers aged 40 to 60 declining nearly as fast as younger players are joining.
Golf Remains Male-Dominated and Facility Numbers Vary
The sport also remains male-dominated. While the total number of golfers has grown in the past two years, the number of female golfers is declining overall. Growth among women aged 19 to 40 is slower than among men, with figures for girls under 18 even decreasing, while boys in the same group show a slight increase. Membership growth is not uniform across all golf courses but represents an average. The number of golf courses in Germany decreased by five to 721, due to various reasons beyond just financial viability.