Figures released by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) have again highlighted its members’ substantial contribution at a local, regional and national level.
In early 2026 IGTOA commissioned Sporting Insights to undertake a second wave of independent research, building on findings from 2023/24. The aim was to review the differences between 2023 and 2025 and continue to help IGTOA quantify the contribution that its 27 members make to the economy.
The findings were unequivocal. IGTOA members are key contributors to the golf and tourism sectors in Ireland and play a vital role in supporting businesses throughout the year.
IGTOA members contribute an estimated €119 million to the Irish economy in golf trips alone, an amount that rises to €140.2m if approximations for spend on food and drink, additional leisure / entertainment and shopping at golf clubs / pro shops are included.
The numbers come from over 84,000 rounds of golf played by visitors to Ireland, with those visitors, most of whom are premium / high end consumers, spending 128,000 nights in accommodation.
The USA, UK, and Canada are the key markets in terms of visitors, while Asia and Australia present the greatest opportunities for future tourism growth.
IGTOA member feedback also highlighted client comments about the excellent customer service, the warm Irish welcome, excellent F&B, high quality courses and strong relationships. Rising costs and competition for tee time availability, both of which are inevitable results of the growing popularity of Irish golf, are among the factors the industry needs to keep an eye on for 2026 and beyond. These are the major operational challenges for IGTOA members.
The research also highlighted the vital importance of golf tourism in terms of employment and job creation. IGTOA members support over 21,000 jobs in the wider economy, reinforcing the importance of strong partnerships, a word Warren Buffett defines as “not a legal contract between equal individuals. It’s an emotional alliance between people who are committed to each other success”.
Tour Operators are optimistic that 2026 figures should exceed 2025, with commensurate importance to the wider economy. Meanwhile 2027 is set to be a bumper year for Irish golf, with Rory McIlroy attempting to become the first player to win three consecutive Masters titles and Adare Manor hosting the Ryder Cup, which Europe will defend a crown won in part due to Shane Lowry’s 18th hole heroics at Bethpage Black.
The research was shared at the 2026 Gala Irish Golf Awards, held at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Tralee Golf Club, where Sporting Insights’ Marc Anderman presented the findings before joining a panel Q&A alongside Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Paul Mockler, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Business, Festivals and Major Sporting Events, and Siobhan McManamy, Director of Markets & Partnerships at Tourism Ireland.
Barry Maye, Chief Executive Officer of IGTOA commented: “We were confident that IGTOA members delivered enormous value to the Irish economy, and the independent research delivered by Sporting Insights proves that value on local, regional and national levels. The insight also offers us and our members important details that help us all tailor our offer and ensure we continue to deliver for our core clients as well as appealing to new golfers in additional markets. We look forward to continuing to partner with clubs and hotels over the coming years to help them take advantage of what we expect to be a continuing expansion of interest in playing golf in Ireland”.
Marc Anderman, commented: “It was great to meet with so many tour operators during the course of the research and presentation. We’ve seen first-hand how dynamic these businesses are and how much work they put in to curating first-rate experiences for the golfers they bring to Ireland. Ireland is one of the world’s great golf destinations, and both golf and IGTOA’s contribution to the Irish economy look set to go from strength to strength.”
