Data in National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Sports Participation surveys shows that the number of golfers age 7-17 grew by nearly 18% in the five-year period 1996-2001. In 2001, there were 3.3 million junior golfers (12.3% of the 26.6 million total), versus 2.8 million in 1996 (12.1% of the 23.1 million total).
Participation growth among golfers in the 7-17 age group was 17.9%, which is greater than the 15.2% overall growth of golf participation during that period.
Data from NSGA’s “The Sporting Goods Market” reports shows golfers age 7-17 accounted for 8% of the $2.0 billion spent on new sets of clubs in 2001, up from 7% of $2.0 billion in 1996.
According to NSGA’s “Purchases of Used Sporting Goods Equipment,” golfers age 7-17 accounted for 15.8% of the $25.1 million spent on sets of used golf clubs in 2001.
Charts with overall golf participation totals, percent change and 10-year history are available on the NSGA web site, www.nsga.org