Research from The R&A and Golf Ireland has shown that the massive gain in popularity of playing the sport during the pandemic, when it was among the first and safest of sports to return, has been maintained.

Prior to the lockdowns in 2020 the number playing at least one round on a full-length golf course stood at 321,000.

In 2020, after courses reopened that climbed to an impressive 540,000 and the latest figures released yesterday show the momentum has been maintained with another small increase to 543,000 playing in 2021.

Over half of those who played are not members of a golf club in Ireland, creating a terrific opportunity for clubs to increase their membership.

Across Britain and Ireland, the new Participation Reports show that 5.3 million on-course adult golfers – the second-highest number since monitoring began over 30 years ago – enjoyed playing on full-length courses last year.

Ireland saw an increase of over 40,000 in the number of Female golfers taking part, up to 111,000 from 70,000 pre-pandemic.

29 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds tried or started golf again in any on or off-course format because of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

“These numbers paint an excellent picture of golf in Ireland, and the great work that is done at a grassroots level across the island,” said Vincent Foley, Head of Development and Club Support at Golf Ireland.

“Last year’s report was brilliant for the sport, and we are delighted to maintain those numbers this year and make a slight increase.”

“It’s particularly promising to see a large increase in female full course users in 2021. We continue to provide programmes such as Get Into Golf to bring women of all ages into the sport, and it’s exciting to see that work coming to fruition.”

“It is extremely positive that the number of on-course adult golfers remained so strong in Great Britain and Ireland last year,” added Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A.

“The vast majority of lapsed or non-golfers who took up golf during the pandemic have continued to play, with the sport remaining very popular in the use of full-length courses, driving ranges and alternative golf venues in particular.”

Both reports were produced by Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS).

Key highlights from the 2021 Ireland Golf Participation Report: