THE DATA
Golf for All
How many people are playing golf?
The PGA’s research provides arresting evidence of the sheer number of adults in the UK and Republic of Ireland who engage with the game in some form
In the past 12 months, this many adults in the UK and Republic of Ireland have:
22.4m
Played any form of golf
or engaged with golf
4.9m
Played on a golf course
6.1m
Seen or read about golf
11.4m
Played a form of off-course golf
16.3m
Played any form of golf
40%
Percentage of the adult population in the UK and Republic of Ireland (55.7m) who play golf or consume golf media at least once a year
Over 2 in 3
The proportion of all those who play golf at least once a year in the UK and Republic of Ireland who only play an off-course form of the game – 69.9%
What are the most popular forms of off-course golf?
9%
Percentage of the adult population who have played on-course golf over the past year
47%
Percentage of golfers who have paid to play some form of golf (including lessons) in the past three months
The varying demographics of off-course and on-course golfers
Off-course
On-course
Who will spend more on their golf next year?
Definitions
Frequency
Regular golfers – those who play any golf (excluding adventure golf only) at least monthly
Occasional golfers - those who play any golf (excluding adventure golf only) at least every six months (not including regular golfers)
Infrequent golfers - those who play any golf (excluding adventure golf only) at least yearly (not including regular or occasional golfers)
Types of golfer
All of golf – those who play any form of golf in the last year, or have a media interest, including those who play adventure golf
Play any golf – those who play any form of golf in the last year, including those who play adventure golf
Play any golf excluding full/short course - those who play any form of golf in the last year, including those who play adventure golf, excluding full/short course golfers
Full/short course golfers – those who play on a full/short course (9/18 holes) at least yearly
Adventure ONLY golfers – those who only play adventure golf at least once a year
Media interest only – those who only have a media interest and do not play
Am I a golfer?
51% of those who play on-course golf who regard themselves as a golfer
All those who play golf
70% of all those who play golf who do not regard themselves as a golfer
All those who play on-course golf
Vs
What would make infrequent golfers feel like golfers?
Why don’t they feel like they are golfers?
“I don’t feel I am good enough (but I am keen to learn)”
“I have only played a few times on a full golf course”
“I am only an occasional crazy golfer”
“I have only played mini golf”
“It comes across as elitist”
What are on-course golf’s most significant appeals?
ABOUT THE PGA’S GOLF FOR ALL RESEARCH PROJECT – BY IPSOS
This research aims to provide an understanding across a broad audience of those with any level of interest in golf. The PGA commissioned Ipsos to conduct surveys, both offline and online, to understand the size of the golfing landscape within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
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