77+ Golf Industry Statistics 2021/2022 [Research Review]

Posted on 02 November, 2023 by Nicholas Rizzo

Golf has seen a surge in popularity since the height of the pandemic because it has allowed people to stay active, keep their minds off of the global problem, and spend time outdoors while still socially distancing.

To understand the drastic golf market growth, we researched, analyzed, and compiled over 70 statistics on the golf industry, which includes the increase in golfers, and the golf business as a whole.

Global golf industry statistics 2021

As of 2021

  • The golf course and country club industry revenue is expected to increase by 1.9% because of higher disposable income available to consumers
  • There have been 450 major golf championship tournaments held
    • Open Championships - 148
    • U.S. Open - 119
    • PGA Championships - 101
    • Master golf tournament - 83
  • Golf players from the United States have won 273 major titles
  • Scotland comes in second with 55 major wins
  • England is in 3rd at 55 major wins
  • The average age of Core golfers is 65
  • Core golfers are expected to make 1.8 trips

In 2020

  • Overall golf market revenue was up by $400 million despite the coronavirus pandemic
  • Golf equipment sales reached $2.81 billion 
  • Rounds played increase by 7 to 8 million compared to 2019
  • Because of the COVID-19 impact, tournaments were canceled in April, resulting in 42.4% fewer games of golf played compared to April 2019
  • Golf is played in 209 countries
  • By May and June, golfers returned and saw a 6.2% and 14% uptick compared to the same period of the previous year
  • There was a 35% decrease in golf-related travel
  • Golf staycation increased by 119% in the U.K.
  • 20% increase in Google searches for 'golf clubs' and 'golf balls'
  • there is a 43% increase in solo games because of the COVID-19 outbreak
  • Nine-hole rounds saw a 15% year-over-year increase
  • Over 6 million golfers were women which represent:
    • Beginners - 36%
    • Those who played in golf clubs - 24%
    • Those who played off-course - 45%
  • There were 38,864 golf courses all over the globe
    • 43% of all golf courses are found in America
    • Europe comes second in terms of regional-share at 23%
    • Asia holds 16% of the golf course industry

In 2019

  • The global golf club market was valued at $3.66 billion
  • The projected compound annual growth rate is projected at 2.5% from 2020 to 2027
  • Golfers who played for leisure dominated the golf market at 80.3%
  • 47.2% of golf gear and apparel sales came from sporting goods stores
  • North America had the largest share of golf facilities at 45.3%
    • 77% of these golf clubs in North America accept fee-paying golfers on a per-round basis
  • Asia Pacific's golf market growth is projected at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2020 to 2027
    • Callaway Golf
    • Titleist
    • Wilson
    • TaylorMade
    • 6 out of 10 female golfers are from Asia
    • Trusted golf brands include

U.S. golf industry at the end of 2020

  • There were 16,100 golf courses across 14,100 golf facilities
  • 75% of golf courses remained open despite the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Over 36.9 million Americans played golf
  • 24.8 million played a game of golf on courses
  • 12.1 million played off-course (driving range, indoor golf simulators, and golf entertainment venue)
  • 3 million Americans played golf for the first time
  • 3.1 million junior golfers played on a course
    • Female junior golfers increased from 15% to 34%
    • Non-Caucasian junior golfers increased to 25% from 6% in the last 20 years
  • There was a total of 502 million rounds of golf played
    • The average rounds played per golfer was 20
    • Rounds of golf played increased by 19% from 2019
  • During the months of March and April, over 16,000 golf courses were closed
  • Golfers start playing as early as 6 years old

Global golf apparel, footwear, and accessories market size in 2021

  • The golf apparel market, including footwear, and accessories, is expected to grow to $1.12 billion, at a CAGR of 5%
  • Sales of golf equipment on- and off-course is up by 42% in the third quarter compared to the same period of 2020
  • Growth in sales is attributed to golf bags, wedges, and irons
  • Combined wholes sale dollar sales of golf clubs and golf balls grew by 77% from last year
  • The golf glove market is valued at $285.2 million in 2020
    • the golf glove industry is expected to reach a $396.8 million valuation by 2027
    • In 2019, North America held 57% of the golf glove market
    • Individual gloves account for 52% of the global glove revenue in 2019 
  • In 2017, the golf ball market was valued at $1.1 billion
    • The golf ball market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% from 2018 to 2025 

Use of golf apps in 2021

  • There are 2 million golf-related apps for iOS users
  • 2.8 million golf apps are available for Android users
  • 78% of Core golfers have at least one dedicated golf app they regularly use
  • Spending on golf apps have increased by 25% since 2021
  • Golfers spend about $64.9 billion on golf apps during the first half of 2021
  • On average, golfers have 3.5 golf apps installed on their mobile device

Golf cart market report

  • In 2020, the golf cart market was valued at $3.2 billion
  • the golf cart market growth rate is pegged at 6% from 2021 to 2026
  • By 2026, the golf cart industry is projected to reach $6 billion in valuation 

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Use of content

  • If the golf industry statistics piqued your interest, you can reach out to Nick Rizzo at nick@runrepeat.com. He’s also available for interviews.
  • Feel free to use data found in this article on any online publication. We only request that you link back to this original source.

References

https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/golf-courses-country-clubs-industry/

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2021/07/18/golf-major-champions-by-country-players-total-majors-66623/ 

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/golf-club-market

https://moderngentlemen.net/golf-industry-statistics/ 

https://www.ngf.org/golf-industry-research/ 

https://www.golfdatatech.com/2021/02/golf-rounds-end-year-up-14-equipment-up-10/ 

https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5241158/golf-apparel-footwear-and-accessories-market-in

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/golf-gloves-market

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/golf-ball-market#:~:text=The%20global%20golf%20ball%20market,2.7%25%20from%202018%20to%202025.&text=This%20is%20also%20attributed%20to,to%20positively%20impact%20market%20growth. 

https://golf.com/travel/golf-courses-industry-booming-9-numbers/

https://golf.com/travel/golfers-playing-alone-more-often-coronavirus/ 

https://www.thengfq.com/covid-19/#Equip 

https://www.thengfq.com/covid-19/#perspective 

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/golf-cart-market 

Author
Nicholas Rizzo
Nicholas Rizzo
Nick combines 10+ years of experience in the health and fitness industry and a background in the sciences in his role as the Fitness Research Director. During his competitive powerlifting years his PRs have him sitting in the top 2% of bench presses (395 lbs), top 3% of squats (485 lbs) and top 6% of deadlifts (515 lbs) for his weight and age. His work has been featured on Bodybuilding.com, LiveStrong, Healthline, WebMD, WashingtonPost, and many more. Along the way, collaborating with industry leaders like Michael Yessis, Mark Rippetoe, Carlo Buzzichelli, Dave Tate, Ray Williams, and Joel Seedman.