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Is Golf Dying? The Real Story Behind Its Popularity
So, is golf a dying sport for old men, or is it experiencing a modern-day renaissance? You hear conflicting stories: courses are closing, yet your local range is always packed. This confusion makes it hard to know the real answer to the question: is golf losing popularity? This guide cuts through the noise, using hard data to reveal the complete, nuanced story of where the game truly stands today.
While traditional on-course golf saw a significant decline from 2003-2018, the sport has seen five consecutive years of growth, with off-course participation surpassing on-course players for the first time in 2022, indicating a major evolution rather than a simple decline.
Leveraging extensive analysis of data from industry leaders like the National Golf Foundation, we will unpack the two sides of this story. We’ll explore the historical reasons for golf’s decline, the surprising pandemic-fueled resurgence, and the critical split between the thriving recreational game and the struggling professional tours. This guide unpacks the critical insights to help you understand the true future of golf.
Key Facts
- Overall Participation is Surging: In 2022, the total number of people engaging with golf, combining on-course (25.6 million) and off-course (27.9 million) formats, reached a new high, demonstrating the sport’s expanding reach.
- A Historic Decline Was Real: Between 2003 and 2018, the game saw a significant downturn, losing 6.8 million players in the U.S. according to analysis from FactSet.
- Women Are a Primary Growth Driver: Women now account for 25% of all on-course golfers in the U.S., up from 19% in 2011, and represent almost half of the sport’s growth over the past decade.
- Professional Golf Has a Viewership Problem: While recreational play booms, men’s professional golf is struggling, with viewership for the PGA Tour’s flagship Players Championship down 17% year-on-year, as reported by Golf Monthly.
- Course Closures Have Slowed Dramatically: After years of decline, the rate of U.S. golf course closures fell 53% from its peak by 2021, signaling a stabilization in supply to meet renewed demand.
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The “Tiger Effect” Wanes: Unpacking Golf’s Historical Decline (2003-2018)
From 2003 to 2018, U.S. golf participation fell by 6.8 million players and over 1,200 courses closed due to high costs, significant time commitments, and an exclusionary image. For years, the narrative around golf was one of slow, steady decline. After the boom spurred by the “Tiger effect” in the late 90s and early 2000s, the sport hit a significant rough patch. The numbers from this era are stark and paint a clear picture of a game losing its grip on the American public.
Did you know? The number of ‘active’ golfers (playing 25+ times a year) dropped from 6.9 million to 4.6 million in just five years (2000-2005), a leading indicator of the broader decline to come. This wasn’t just a loss of casual players; the game’s most dedicated enthusiasts were playing less. Data from this period shows a consistent downward trend in both players and the facilities available to them.
Here’s a look at the hard data behind the decline:
| Metric | 2003-2006 Peak | 2016-2018 Trough | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Golfers | ~30 Million | ~26 Million | – 4 Million (in 10 yrs) |
| Total Player Loss | N/A | (Compared to 2003) | – 6.8 Million (by 2018) |
| U.S. Golf Courses | Over 16,000 | 15,372 | – 1,200+ (by 2018) |
This data, supported by analysis from sources like FactSet and reports in The New York Times, confirms that for over a decade, the answer to “is golf losing popularity?” was an unambiguous yes. The reasons for this mass exodus were not a mystery; they were fundamental challenges to the traditional golf model.
Why Were Players Leaving the Game?
Key factors included the 5-6 hour time commitment, high costs of equipment and fees, and a perception of being elitist, stuffy, and exclusionary, particularly for women and younger generations. The decline wasn’t caused by a single issue but by a combination of cultural shifts and practical barriers that made traditional golf a tough sell for modern lifestyles.
- Time Commitment: In a world that values speed and efficiency, the 5- to 6-hour block required for a full 18-hole round became a major liability. For busy professionals and families, dedicating that much time to a single activity was increasingly impractical. This was especially true for millennials, who often found the slow, repetitive nature of the game unappealing compared to other recreational options.
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Prohibitive Cost: Golf has long battled a reputation for being an expensive hobby, and the reality often matches the perception. The cost of clubs, accessories, and especially green fees and memberships, created a high barrier to entry. This financial gatekeeping priced out a huge segment of the potential audience.
“A tee time at Pebble Beach, once $8 in 1958, now requires a two-night stay and costs over $1,835 per person, highlighting the sport’s soaring costs.”
- Image Problem: The cultural perception of golf as a “sport for old men” proved incredibly damaging. It was seen as stuffy, exclusionary, and steeped in rules and traditions that felt alienating to newcomers, women, and younger people. With only a quarter of golfers globally being women, the lack of diversity reinforced this unwelcoming image.
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Competition and Lack of Physicality: As other fitness and wellness trends like hiking, biking, and group fitness classes exploded, golf seemed less physically demanding, especially with the prevalence of golf carts. Furthermore, with endless digital distractions and social opportunities, golf faced stiff competition for people’s limited leisure time and attention.
The COVID Boom and Beyond: Golf’s Surprising Resurgence
The COVID-19 pandemic fueled a major golf resurgence by offering a safe, outdoor activity. This led to five straight years of growth, with on-course golfers reaching 25.6 million in early 2023. Just when the outlook seemed bleakest, an unexpected global event changed everything. The pandemic, which shut down so much of the world, provided the perfect conditions for golf to thrive. As people desperately sought safe, socially distanced ways to get out of the house, golf courses offered a welcome sanctuary.
Like a drive finding the fairway after a bad slice, the pandemic provided an unexpected but perfect opportunity for golf to get back in the game. The result wasn’t just a temporary bump; it was the start of a sustained turnaround. According to the National Golf Foundation, the trend has held strong.
The number of on-course golfers in the U.S. increased by 500,000 in early 2023, reaching a total of 25.6 million. This marked the fifth consecutive year of growth for the sport, proving the comeback was more than a fluke.
This revival reversed over a decade of decline and set the stage for a new era, one defined by different participants and new ways to engage with the game. The question shifted from “why is golf dying?” to “is this growth sustainable?”
The New Drivers of Growth: More Than Just a Pandemic Fad
Lasting growth is driven by the rise of off-course venues like Topgolf, a surge in female and youth participation (women account for almost half of recent growth), and increased media exposure from shows like Netflix’s “Full Swing”. The evidence strongly suggests that the current popularity of golf is not just a post-pandemic bubble. The sport is undergoing a fundamental transformation, making it more accessible, social, and appealing to a much broader audience.
Here are the key drivers ensuring golf’s continued relevance:
- The Rise of “Golf Entertainment”: Off-course golf is arguably the single biggest factor in the sport’s evolution. Venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack have revolutionized how people experience the game. By combining golf with a fun, social atmosphere complete with food, drinks, and music, they have successfully attracted millions of non-golfers.
- Crucially, these venues act as a gateway to the traditional game. A 2018 National Golf Foundation survey found that 53% of non-golfing Topgolf guests became more interested in playing on a real course after their visit. In 2022, off-course participation (27.9 million) officially surpassed on-course players (25.6 million) for the first time, signaling a massive shift in the landscape.
- A Changing Demographic: The face of the modern golfer is changing. Women and young people are flocking to the sport in record numbers. Women and girls have accounted for almost half of golf’s growth in the last decade, with U.S. female participation jumping from 19% in 2011 to 25% in 2021. Likewise, junior female golfers now represent an impressive 35% of all youth players. This infusion of new energy is vital for long-term health.
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The “Netflix Effect” and Media Exposure: Just as Drive to Survive created a new generation of Formula 1 fans, Netflix’s docuseries Full Swing has been a huge boon for golf. The show gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of professional golfers, humanizing them and making the sport more compelling to a mainstream audience. This increased visibility raises the profile of the sport and inspires interest in playing.
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Technology and Modernization: From advanced launch monitors and simulators that make practice more engaging to online booking systems that remove friction, technology is making golf more accessible and enjoyable. The USGA reported a record 3 million golfers with official handicaps in 2022, a 16% increase since 2020, partly due to easier digital access and tracking.
A Tale of Two Tours: Why Professional Golf is Losing Fans
Despite recreational growth, men’s professional golf is struggling with declining viewership and fan apathy, largely due to the fragmentation and political infighting between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. While millions of new players are picking up clubs for the first time, a strange and damaging phenomenon is happening at the sport’s highest level: the professionals at the top might be driving fans away from their screens. The bitter and public rivalry between the established PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf has created a mess that is actively harming the product.
This internal conflict creates a stark contrast: the grassroots game is thriving and inclusive, while the professional men’s game feels fractured and political. Evidence from viewership numbers shows fans are tuning out. For example, Sunday viewership for the Players Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s premier events, was down a staggering 17% year-on-year in America.
The key problems stemming from this civil war include:
- Diluted Talent Pools: With the world’s best players split across two different tours, it’s now rare for fans to see all the top talent compete against each other outside of the four major championships. This dilutes the week-to-week product and makes regular tour events feel less significant.
- Fan Confusion and Apathy: The constant drama, lawsuits, and political maneuvering have left many fans feeling confused and exhausted. Instead of focusing on incredible shots and compelling rivalries on the course, the narrative has been dominated by money and power struggles, leading to widespread apathy.
- A Fractured Viewing Experience: Fans who want to follow all their favorite players now have to navigate different broadcast schedules, channels, and even formats (like LIV’s 54-hole shotgun starts), making the overall experience disjointed and frustrating.
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FAQs About is golf losing popularity
This section directly answers the most common follow-up questions about the state of golf, providing clear, data-backed information to resolve any lingering confusion.
Is golf viewership declining?
Yes, viewership for some major men’s professional golf events, like the PGA Tour’s Players Championship, has seen significant declines recently, largely attributed to the PGA vs. LIV conflict. While recreational participation is up, the professional game is facing challenges. The fragmentation of talent and fan fatigue from the tour wars have led to lower ratings for non-major tournaments.
Are golf courses on the decline in the US?
While the US saw over 1,200 course closures between 2003 and 2018, the rate of closures has slowed dramatically, dropping 53% from its peak by 2021 as the sport’s popularity rebounded. The market appears to have corrected itself after a period of oversupply. Now, the number of closures is minimal, reflecting a healthier balance between supply and the renewed demand from golfers.
Is overall golf participation down?
No, overall golf participation is significantly up. In 2022, the combined number of on-course (25.6 million) and off-course (27.9 million) participants showed substantial growth, with off-course players outnumbering on-course for the first time. This data from the National Golf Foundation proves that when you consider all the ways people engage with the sport, its reach is broader and more popular than ever.
Is golf just slowing down after the COVID boom?
While the explosive growth rate of the pandemic has moderated, data indicates golf’s popularity is not slowing down but rather entering a phase of sustained growth, with 2023 being the fifth straight year of increased on-course participation. The trends driving this growth—such as off-course venues and new demographics—are structural and long-term, suggesting the game’s newfound popularity is built to last.
Final Summary: Golf Isn’t Dying, It’s Evolving
The answer to the question “is golf losing popularity?” is a definitive no. However, the golf that is popular today looks very different from the golf of 20 years ago. The sport is not dying; it is in the midst of a radical and exciting evolution. It has successfully shed some of its stuffy image and high barriers to entry by embracing technology, entertainment, and a more inclusive, social approach. While the professional men’s game navigates a self-inflicted crisis, the foundation of the sport—the millions of people who play it—is stronger and more diverse than ever.
Here are the critical takeaways:
- The Decline is Over: The long period of decline from the early 2000s has been decisively reversed by five consecutive years of growth in on-course play.
- Off-Course is the New On-Ramp: Entertainment venues like Topgolf are the single biggest engine of growth, attracting new players and serving as a vital gateway to the traditional sport.
- The Future is Diverse: The massive influx of women and younger players is fundamentally changing the sport’s demographics and securing its long-term health and relevance.
The next time someone asks if golf is dying, you’ll have the real story. Share this data-driven analysis to set the record straight
Last update on 2025-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
