Golf participation in Britain and Ireland for 2022 is up more than 50% from pre-pandemic levels, according to research by the R&A.
There were 5.6 million adult golfers playing nine or 18 holes last year, the second highest figure recorded in more than 30 years of monitoring.
In 2019, the equivalent figure was 3.7 million, rising to 5.7 million in 2020 and 5.3 million the following year.
The data revealed that 20% of adult golfers in 2022 were female, up from 15% in 2019.
Phil Anderton, director of development at The R&A, said initiatives to increase participation and raise awareness of the “physical and mental health benefits of sport” had spurred growth.
“It is very positive to see the number of adult golfers on the course increase in Britain and Ireland over the past year,” he said.
The research, produced in conjunction with the governing bodies of amateur golf in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, acknowledged that the popularity of the sport has increased during the pandemic as people enjoy outdoor activity air that could be undertaken safely.
Anderton added: “The sport remains hugely popular on full courses as a large number of non-practicing or non-golfing golfers who entered the sport during the pandemic continue to enjoy the game.
“There remains significant interest in golf and while we recognize that there are economic challenges due to cost of living pressures, it is important that everyone involved does their best to keep existing golfers in the game. sport.”
