New participation figures announced in July 2025 by The R&A show the sustained growth of golf around the world.
108 million adults and juniors are played golf in 2024 across all formats of the sport in The R&A’s affiliated markets – an increase of almost three million golfers since 2023.
The new research detailing on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) and golfers who play other formats – such as indoor simulator golf, adventure golf and driving range use – is based on information provided by national federations in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania; and R&A commissioned research.
The report, which was produced by leading sports market research firm Sporting Insights, excludes the USA and Mexico which fall under the jurisdiction of the USGA.
Over 100 million people playing golf in some format is significant and highlights the sport’s sustained appeal.
The research figures highlight total adult participation of 64.1 million – adult golfers playing one or more formats of golf – an increase of 1.8 million since 2023.
With the addition of junior data for the first time – thanks to new analytical tools in R&A affiliated markets worldwide – total junior participation is 43.9 million. 80% of these young people engage with the sport through formats that are not 9 or 18-hole on-course golf.
On-course golf continues to increase in popularity, with 43.3 million adults and juniors playing 9 and 18-hole golf in 2024 – up from 42.7 million in 2023.
However, in raw terms, the rise of non-traditional formats of the sport means that more golfers are now playing other formats than 9 or 18-hole on-course golf.
The number of registered golfers – those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through direct subscription (e.g., iGolf) – has increased from 8.2 to 8.4 million. This demonstrates a sustained growth from 7.4 million in 2020.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “I am delighted to see participation continue to grow in our affiliated markets across the world, encompassing 148 countries. Over 100 million people playing golf in some format is significant and highlights the sport’s sustained appeal.
“The growth in non-traditional formats such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, is helping drive participation among adults and juniors on a global scale while on-course activity also remains very popular.
“The millions of juniors enjoying the sport across all formats offers huge potential for future growth. New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions are important for encouraging more people into the sport, transitioning many into on-course golf and retaining them in greater numbers.
“The broad appeal of golf is testament to the endeavours of so many involved in the industry and I thank our affiliated national federations and partners around the world for their hard work as we collectively grow the sport.”
Asia is the leading region for adults playing golf (among R&A affiliates), with total adult participation of 26.2 million. Europe has 20.3 million adults participating, while Canada counts 6.9 million adults. Total junior participation is largest in Europe, with 18.5 million golfers.
In The R&A’s nine biggest markets, women represent 31% of total adult participation and a quarter of all 9- and 18-hole adult golfers. Across other formats – not 9- and 18-hole golf – in the same nine markets, women make up half of total adult participation.
The opportunity to move from other formats to on-course golf is evident in further research from The R&A on pathways into golf, which shows that 37% of on-course golfers in Canada played alternative formats before they played on a golf course. 36% did so in England.
The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years (2017-2026) in developing golf across the world, including encouraging participation through various initiatives such as the ‘Just Swing’ campaign launched in March and its Golf It! facility in Glasgow opened in 2023.
