26 Glorious Golf Industry Statistics [2026]: How Big Is The Golf Industry

Research Summary. Golf is a beloved sport enjoyed by millions annually. Although participation rates fluctuated throughout the 21st century, the golf industry has seen a resurgence in interest, particularly in the wake of the pandemic that shifted recreational habits.

• 25.6 million Americans played golf on courses in 2022, representing 8% of the total U.S. population.

• 34.2 million individuals engaged in golf, both on and off the course in 2019.

• 15.5 million people took part in off-course golf activities, such as driving ranges and simulators, in 2022.

• 3.2 million Americans experienced golf for the first time in 2021.

• The U.S. golf course industry was valued at $26.1 billion in 2022.

For further analysis, we categorized the data in the following ways:
New Golfers | Trends and Projections | Demographics | Courses and Clubs

General Golf Industry Statistics

• The U.S. golf industry is valued at $84 billion.

  The industry has experienced a 22% growth since 2011, up from $68.8 billion.

• California’s golf industry is valued at $13.1 billion.

  California employs 128,000 people in the golf sector, contributing $4.1 billion in wages.

• The market size of the U.S. golf course and country club industry is $27.2 billion.

  Since 2014, this segment has grown by over $3 billion.

  

Golf Industry Statistics by New Golfers

• 25% of female golfers were new to the sport in 2020, influenced by the pandemic.

• Women account for 41% of off-course golfers.

• 27% of new golfers belong to the 18-34 age demographic (Gen Z).

Golf Industry Trends and Projections

• In 2021, 502 million rounds of golf were played in the U.S.

  This marked a 14% increase from the previous year, reflecting a renewed enthusiasm for outdoor activities post-pandemic.

• The number of golfers in the U.S. increased by 2% between 2019 and 2020.

  In 2020, there were 24.8 million golfers, which is 500,000 more than in 2019.

  

• The proportion of golfers playing at least eight rounds per year has decreased by 3 to 4.5% annually since 2006.

  This decline in consistent play has affected the professional golf landscape and the broader industry.

• The number of golfers in the U.S. has decreased from 29.82 million in 2006 to 25.6 million in 2022.

  Over this 16-year period, the player base has contracted by over four million.

Golf Industry Statistics by Demographics

• 6 million individuals aged 18-34 participate in golf.

• Approximately 77% of golfers are male, while over 22% are female.

• In 2020, there were 450,000 more female golfers than in 2019, representing an 8% year-over-year increase.

• 4% of Gen Z Americans (born 1995-2012) indicated they played golf in 2021.

• 12% of Millennials (born 1980-1994) reported playing golf in 2021.

• 7% of Generation X Americans (born 1965-1979) stated they played golf in 2021.

• In 2014, six million Millennials played an estimated 90 million rounds of golf annually.

• Golfers have an average household income of $125,000.

Golf Industry Statistics by Golf Courses and Clubs

• As of 2022, there are 9,473 golf courses and country clubs in the U.S.

  This represents a decrease of 0.7% since 2021.

  

• Globally, there are nearly 40,000 golf courses.

  Golf courses exist in 209 countries, encompassing 85% of the world.

• California, Florida, and Oregon are the leading states for golf.

  These states boast the highest number of “Top 100” ranked courses, with California featuring ten top-ranked venues.

Golf Industry Statistics FAQ

1. How much is the golf industry worth?

   The golf industry is valued at $84 billion. Golf courses alone constitute a significant portion, valued at $26 billion.

2. Is the golf industry growing?

   The golf industry has been experiencing growth after years of decline. Golf rounds played in 2021 were 18% higher than the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019.

   Additionally, 2020 saw the largest net increase in golfers since 1997, with many attributing this to a collective desire for outdoor activities post-lockdown.

3. Is golf a dying sport?

   No, golf is not a dying sport. While the sport faced challenges in player numbers and revenue for years, recent trends indicate a resurgence in interest. Since 2020, there has been a notable increase in new golfers.

   The golf industry has grown 22% in the last decade, currently valued at $84 billion compared to $68.8 billion in 2011.

4. Where is golf the most popular in the U.S.?

   Florida is the U.S. state where golf is most popular. It hosts the largest number of golf courses and has a thriving community of avid golfers.

Conclusion

Golf serves as more than just a leisure activity; it represents a significant sector of the U.S. economy. The U.S. golf course industry alone was valued at over $26 billion in 2022, while the broader golf industry reached $84 billion.

In 2022, 8% of the American population participated in golf on courses, with the total number of participants rising to 34.2 million when including off-course play. Notably, there were approximately 6.2 million first-time golfers in 2020.

Despite a history of decline, the golf industry is on a path to recovery, driven by increased interest in outdoor activities. While the number of golfers has decreased from nearly 30 million in 2006 to 25.6 million in 2022, the recent uptick in participation suggests a promising future.

This resurgence is likely linked to changing recreational preferences post-pandemic, as individuals sought outdoor activities. The sustainability of this growth remains to be seen, but current trends indicate a revitalized enthusiasm for golf.

References

1. National Golf Foundation. Golf Industry Facts. Accessed on April 5, 2022

2. Riversedge Golf Bend. Golf Demographics | How Many People Play Golf | Golf Statistics. Accessed on April 5, 2022

3. Ibis World. Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US – Market Size 2004–2027. Accessed on April 5, 2022

4. Forbes. The Economic Impact Of Golf: $84 Billion In The U.S. Accessed on April 5, 2022

5. Pace Turf. THE CALIFORNIA GOLF ECONOMY:. Accessed on April 5, 2022

6. Golf Digest. The numbers are official: Golf’s surge in popularity in 2020 was even better than predicted. Accessed on April 5, 2022

7. Bleacher Report. Golf’s Decline in America: Work/Life Balance Is the True Culprit | Bleacher Report. Accessed on April 5, 2022

8. Statistica. • Golf: number of participants US 2019 | Statista. Accessed on April 5, 2022

9. Statistica. • Share of golfers in the US by generation 2021 | Statista. Accessed on April 5, 2022

10. PaceSetter. Why Golf Must Attract Millennials | Pacesetter. Accessed on April 5, 2022

11. Bench Craft Company. Demographics | Bench Craft Company. Accessed on April 5, 2022

12. Randa.org. 2020 GB&I Golf Participation Report. Accessed on April 5, 2022

13. Golf Digest. New #inviteHER initiative aims to get more women into golf. Accessed on April 5, 2022

14. Golf Course Industry. KemperSports report: 27 percent of new golfers are 18-34 – Golf Course Industry. Accessed on April 5, 2022

15. Ibis World. Golf Courses & Country Clubs in the US – Number of Businesses | IBISWorld. Accessed on April 5, 2022

16. Golf Monthly. How Many Golf Courses Are There In The World?. Accessed on April 5, 2022

17. Golf Week. Golfweek’s Best: The best states for public, private, modern and classic golf in the U.S. Accessed on April 5, 2022

18. Front Office Sports. Golf Industry Continues to Flourish Amid Pandemic. Accessed on April 5, 2022

19. Golf.com. The United States of Golf: All 50 States Ranked By Their Golfiness. Accessed on April 5, 2022

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.