While the number of rounds played in the first three quarters of 2024 decreased compared to 2023, the figures for the fourth quarter reflect a different trend: in the period from October to December, the average number of rounds played in the UK rose by 17%. As a report by Sporting Insights shows, more golf was played on British courses at the end of 2024 than in the same period the previous year. The statistics allow conclusions to be drawn about how the popularity of golf is developing globally. Sporting Insights has been recording all rounds played on commercial golf courses on the British mainland since 2000.
Golf development: Optimism despite slight decline
“Upon publishing the half-year figures last year, we suggested that a lot of underlying indicators for growth were still strong. After a Q3 that was effectively flat against 2023 and now a strong Q4, we still feel that analysis holds,” said John Bushell, joint MD of Sporting Insights.
Play was particularly high in the north of England: There, the increase was 30%.The southern and northern regions of the UK saw a slight increase over 2023 throughout the year. As a result, despite the decline in the first three quarters, the average number of rounds played for the year fell by just 2% nationally, and is slightly higher than 2022 levels. There were also more average tee times used in 2024 than in 2023.
Sporting Insights believes that assessment of golf’s popularity falling back to pre-pandemic levels is exaggerated. According to Bushnell, the results show that the supposed decline in popularity has been overestimated: “As fashionable as it can be to put golf down, the truth is that the sport has demonstrated now over multiple years a sustained boost in participation, especially female participation, and in the total amount of play. Key metrics don’t get much more key than that.”
Difficulties due to rising costs
Nevertheless, there are challenges, as Bushnell acknowledged: “Golf is not immune to economic pressures affecting discretionary spending, and we know that many clubs are also feeling the pinch of rising operational costs, which will be a theme of 2025 and beyond. However, the bottom line is that golf does appear to have become a critical part of so many people’s lives that it is so far weathering the economic storm, at least as far as appetite to step up to the tee goes. […] Golf is still in great health and we are positive for 2025.”