Surge in Non-Traditional Formats Helps Drive Growth, Especially Among Juniors and Women
Golf continues to gain ground across the globe, with over 108 million adults and juniors now playing the game in regions affiliated with The R&A. The latest figures, released as part of the 2024 Global Participation Report, reflect steady growth in the sport — up nearly 3 million players from the previous year.
Growth Beyond the Course
For the first time, The R&A has included combined adult and junior participation data, offering a more complete picture of the sport’s reach. While 43.3 million people played traditional 9- or 18-hole golf in 2024, a growing number are engaging through alternative formats — including driving ranges, indoor simulators, and adventure golf.
In fact, non-traditional formats now attract more participants than on-course play. This trend is particularly strong among juniors: of the 43.9 million young people counted in the report, 80% engage with the sport in ways other than standard rounds.
“The growth in non-traditional formats is helping drive participation among adults and juniors on a global scale,” said Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A. “The millions of juniors enjoying the sport across all formats offers huge potential for future growth.”
Steady Rise in Registered Golfers
The number of officially registered golfers—those affiliated with clubs or through national associations—continues its upward trend. From 7.4 million in 2020, that number has now reached 8.4 million in 2024.
Regional Highlights and Gender Balance
Asia leads in adult golf participation with 26.2 million players, followed by Europe (20.3 million) and Canada (6.9 million). For juniors, Europe stands out with the highest participation at 18.5 million.
In key R&A markets, women now make up nearly a third (31%) of adult participants and 25% of on-course adult golfers. In alternative formats, women account for half of all adult players — a sign of golf’s widening appeal across demographics.
Research also shows that many players transition from alternative formats to traditional golf. In Canada and England, over a third of on-course golfers began with non-traditional forms of the game.
Investing in the Future
The R&A continues to invest heavily in growing the sport, with a commitment of £200 million over a decade. This includes initiatives like the “Just Swing” campaign and the Golf It! facility in Glasgow. The ongoing 153rd Open at Royal Portrush also supports this mission, with championship proceeds reinvested into global golf development.
A new video, narrated by Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt, has been released to showcase The R&A’s global efforts to grow the game.
