Leading sports research and data analytics company Sporting Insights has revealed that a fourth quarter surge ensured that the average number of rounds of golf played per course in Great Britain in 2024 recovered to just below 2023 levels.
According to its latest figures, after three successive quarters of declining rounds played (versus 2023), the fourth quarter of 2024 (October-December) bucked the trend.
Average rounds rose by 17% across the country, including by 30% in the North of England. As a result, the average rounds played figure for the year ended down just 2% nationally. Two of the regions, the North and the South, saw slightly more golf played in 2024 than in 2023. The levels of tee time usage were also higher in 2024 than in 2022 on average.
Looking at October, November, and December individually, levels of golf play were higher in each month of the quarter than in either 2023 or 2022.
The findings suggest that what many had been arguing was a ‘decline’ back towards pre-pandemic levels has been overstated. 2024’s year-end figures are comparable not just to 2023 (down -2%) but fractionally higher than 2022.
This chart, published half-way through 2024, shows how ’rounds played’ were down in the first half of last year compared to 2023, although they picked up for Q4 (courtesy Sporting Insights)
John Bushell, joint MD of Sporting Insights, said: “After publishing the half-year figures last year, we suggested that a lot of underlying indicators for growth were still strong. After a Q3 that was effectively flat against 2023 and now a strong Q4, we still feel that analysis holds.”
“As fashionable as it can be to put golf down, the truth is that the sport has demonstrated now over multiple years a sustained boost in participation, especially female participation, and in the total amount of play. Key metrics don’t get much more key than that.
“That is not to deny challenges though. Golf is not immune to economic pressures affecting discretionary spending, and we know that many clubs are also feeling the pinch of rising operational costs, which will be a theme of 2025 and beyond. However, the bottom line is that golf does appear to have become a critical part of so many people’s lives that it is so far weathering the economic storm, at least as far as appetite to step up to the tee goes.
“We also know that, outside the scope of this report, more people are playing alternative formats and shorter forms of golf, which is contributing to a wider boost in different types of golf play. Golf is still in great health and we are positive for 2025.”
Sporting Insights has tracked rounds played at commercial golf courses across mainland Great Britain since 2000. For more information or to purchase the full report, email info@sportinginsights.com or visit www.sportinginsights.com
This chart, published half-way through 2024, shows how ’rounds played’ were down in the first half of last year compared to 2023, although they picked up for Q4 (courtesy Sporting Insights)
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This chart, published half-way through 2024, shows how ’rounds played’ were down in the first half of last year compared to 2023, although they picked up for Q4 (courtesy Sporting Insights)
