Portrush, Northern Ireland: New participation figures announced by The R&A show the sustained growth of golf around the world with Asia leading the way in terms of adults playing golf among R&A affiliated regions.
With combined adult and junior data released for the first time in the 2024 Global Participation Report, there are 108 million adults and juniors playing golf across all formats of the sport in The R&A’s affiliated markets – an increase of almost three million golfers since 2023.
The new research detailing on-course golfers (nine and 18-hole) and golfers who play other formats – such as indoor simulator golf, adventure golf and driving range use – is based on information provided by national federations in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania; and R&A commissioned research.
The report excludes the United States and Mexico which fall under the jurisdiction of the USGA.
The research figures highlight total adult participation of 64.1 million – adult golfers playing one or more of the many formats of golf – an increase of 1.8 million since 2023.
With the addition of junior data for the first time – thanks to new analytical tools in R&A affiliated markets across the world – total junior participation is 43.9 million, with 80% of young people engaging with the sport through formats that are not nine or 18-hole on-course golf.
The sport continues to increase in popularity among on-course golfers, with 43.3 million adults and juniors playing nine and 18-hole golf in 2024 – up from 42.7 million in 2023. Given the rise of non-traditional formats of the sport, more golfers are now playing other formats than nine or 18-hole on-course golf.
The number of registered golfers – those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription – has increased from 8.2 to 8.4 million and reflects a sustained growth from 7.4 million in 2020.\
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “I am delighted to see participation continue to grow in our affiliated markets across the world, encompassing 148 countries. Over 100 million people playing golf in some format is significant and highlights the sport’s sustained appeal.
“The growth in non-traditional formats such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, is helping drive participation among adults and juniors on a global scale while on-course activity also remains very popular.
“The millions of juniors enjoying the sport across all formats offers huge potential for future growth. New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions are important for encouraging more people into the sport, transitioning many into on-course golf and retaining them in greater numbers.
“The broad appeal of golf is testament to the endeavours of so many involved in the industry and I thank our affiliated national federations and partners around the world for their hard work as we collectively grow the sport.”
Asia is the leading region for adults playing golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult participation of 26.2 million. Europe is second highest with 20.3 million adults and Canada next best with 6.9 million adults. Total junior participation is largest in Europe with 18.5 million golfers.
In The R&A’s nine biggest markets, women make up 31% of total adult participation and 25% of all nine and 18-hole adult golfers. Across other formats – not nine and 18-hole golf – in those key markets, women make up 50% of total adult participation.
The opportunity to move from other formats to on-course golf is evident in further research from The R&A on pathways into golf, which shows that 37% of on-course golfers in Canada played alternative formats before they played on a golf course, with 36% doing so in England.
The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over 10 years (2017-2026) in developing golf across the world, including encouraging participation through various initiatives such as the ‘Just Swing’ campaign launched in March and its Golf It! facility in Glasgow opened in 2023.
With The 153rd Open staged at Royal Portrush this week, The R&A’s work is featured in a new video released yesterday, narrated by Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt. Proceeds from The Open, golf’s original championship, are reinvested in growing and supporting the sport on a global scale, from grass-roots to the elite level.
*View video here.
