New figures reveal that golf enjoyed a surge in participation last year, despite the challenges of Covid-19. 5.2 million adult players across Britain and Ireland took part in the sport, a massive 2.1 million more than the previous year as Golf benefitted from the earlier return than others and the challenges faced by team sports in getting back to action.
36 per cent of these described themselves as new or returning to the sport while the average age of those playing fell from 46 to 41.
The research was led by The R&A, together with England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.
Two new participation reports, produced by Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS), show that a significant number of players enjoyed golf on full-length courses as well as alternative forms of the sport, including the use of driving ranges, Par 3 golf and pitch and putt. There was also an increase in the number of female golfers.
In Ireland, the number of adults who played on a full-length course rose by 219,000 to 540,000 with one-third of those trying the sport for the first time being 25 years old or younger.
Overall, 95 per cent of those surveyed said they could imagine playing the game for years into the future.
“We have seen a real surge in the number of golfers in Great Britain and Ireland playing the sport and this is reflected by the high demand for tee times and clubs reporting strong interest in membership last year,” said Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at the R&A.
“Golf has shown that it can provide significant health benefits and this has been important for many golfers during these very challenging times. It is vital that golf seizes the opportunity to maintain this heightened interest by offering new and returning golfers compelling reasons to stay within the sport and enjoy it with friends and family.”
The number of players using driving ranges increased from 2.3 million to 4.3 million while the number playing on Par 3 courses doubled and those enjoying Pitch and Putt trebled.
“With more female players also coming into the sport, it presents an opportunity for golf clubs to harness interest from this key demographic and to engage in our #FOREeveryone campaign,” added Anderton
“The campaign encourages clubs to consider how they can attract more women and girls into the sport and challenge unhelpful stereotypes to demonstrate that it is an enjoyable pastime and career for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Golf Ireland is among more than 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas.
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