Golf clubs across Ireland are turning the sport’s surge in interest into sustained membership growth, with a new Golf Ireland survey showing almost three-quarters of clubs increased membership over the past year.
The second National Club Survey, undertaken with Sporting Insights, found that 72 per cent of responding clubs recorded membership growth, with the average club adding 32 members over the previous 12 months.
It is a useful measure of where Irish golf stands several years after the participation increases seen during and immediately after the pandemic, suggesting much of the renewed interest is becoming longer-term relationships between players and clubs.
The figures also show strong evidence that growth is broadening the traditional membership base.
Some 63 per cent of clubs reported an increase in women’s membership, while almost half (49 per cent) saw growth among junior girls. Golf Ireland said the findings reflect the continuing impact of initiatives including LevelPar, its programme supporting greater participation, inclusion and advancement for women and girls across the game.
The school pipeline is also becoming increasingly important.
Since 2024, Golf Ireland programmes have introduced more than 56,000 students to golf, with girls consistently accounting for between 49 and 51 per cent of those taking part.
That exposure is beginning to show in club membership figures, with the latest survey also recording an eight-percentage-point reduction in the number of clubs reporting girls leaving the sport compared with the previous study.
Beyond the participation numbers, the survey provides an interesting snapshot of the business of running a golf club.
The average full adult membership fee across responding clubs has now reached €1,005, while membership subscriptions account for 53 per cent of club income.
That makes continued membership growth especially important to clubs’ financial resilience, and 81 per cent of those responding described themselves as either financially stable or profitable.
The survey was distributed in December 2025 and remained open until February 10th, 2026, with 261 clubs taking part.
“It’s really encouraging to see so many clubs reporting growth at a time when they are working hard to balance increased demand with the realities of running a modern golf club,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
“It’s clear clubs continue to invest time and effort into creating welcoming environments for new and existing members. We’re pleased with the progress in growing participation among women and girls. There is still more to do, but these results are positive.”
The findings also sit within a much larger economic picture for Irish golf.
Golf Ireland’s Economic Impact Report, published last year, estimated that the game supports 15,600 jobs, with 21 per cent of those located directly within golf clubs. Golf-related employment had grown by 129 per cent since 2014.
Taken together, the two pieces of research reinforce the role clubs play not only as sporting organisations but as employers, hospitality businesses, community hubs and significant local economic contributors.
That also places increasing importance on the quality of governance and management within clubs.
The National Club Survey examines governance, club policies, facilities, financial performance, and engagement with Golf Ireland, allowing individual clubs to compare their operations against broader national benchmarks.
“This report is being made available to clubs to help them to benchmark their operations,” said Golf Ireland Director of Development and Club Support Vincent Foley.
“This will assist the leaders in each golf club to make informed decisions to improve their governance and management practices. We thank clubs for putting the time and effort into completing this survey, and our club support team will continue to work with them to provide our broader support services.”
For Golf Ireland, the challenge is likely less about proving demand exists and more about ensuring clubs can accommodate and retain it.
Growing membership can pressure tee-time availability, course infrastructure, volunteer structures, and expectations around the quality of club facilities and services. At the same time, an expanding and increasingly diverse membership base creates opportunities around coaching, retail, food and beverage, sponsorship and broader commercial partnerships.
The strongest indicator in the latest figures may therefore be the combination of growth and financial stability.
Golf enjoyed an extraordinary participation boost earlier in the decade. Evidence from this survey suggests that, rather than slipping back to previous levels, Irish clubs are continuing to build on that momentum, with women, girls and younger players becoming an increasingly important part of the next generation of the game.
For a sport which already has a sizeable tourism and employment footprint across the island, the health of its club network remains fundamental.
Golf Ireland, KPMG, the DP World Tour, the K Club, Forefront Sports and the European Ryder Cup Team are full members of the Sport for Business community of sporting, business and state organisations.
If you would like to join the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the daily conversation around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.
Image Credit: Golf Ireland
ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS
Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies, and public institutions through high-quality content, events, and insights.
Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.
Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practices, and make better-informed decisions. It positions sport not just as entertainment but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our Daily Sport for Business Snapshot email bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
