Membership at Scottish golf clubs has grown by 5.4 percent in the last year, with the number of boys taking up golf soaring.
Based on returns from 560 of Scottish Golf’s member clubs, figures for 2025 show that total playing membership now stands at 220,210 – a rise of 11,176, signifying the biggest growth for four years since an upturn following the Covid pandemic.
While adult male (+2.9 percent) and adult female (+1.6 percent) figures climbed steadily, the most spectacular increase came in the number of junior boys joining clubs.
Year-on-year the number of junior boys taking up membership has grown by 28.2 percent – a staggering rise of 6,075 players.
Junior girl playing membership is also on the rise, up 2.9 percent compared to 2024 and boosted by Scottish Golf junior golf programmes directed specifically at girls such as Girls GolfSixes.
Scottish Golf’s participation programmes, which form part of a ‘National Junior Framework’, were delivered by 175 clubs nationwide (up eight percent from 2024), and have been key to driving significant change in the junior game.
The news on membership growth, in the face of economic pressures, adds to the positive momentum already powering the game in Scotland.
Robbie Clyde, CEO of Scottish Golf, said: “The new membership figures are the product of so many good things happening around the country supported by our day-to-day work with clubs, areas and counties.
“It is particularly pleasing to see increases across all regions of the country with the Highlands and Islands and the north east showing greatest levels of growth.
“We know that there is still a lot of work to do to drive membership into clubs in some areas, but there is a real buzz around the game.
“I speak for everyone who works for and with Scottish Golf when I say that we will not take our foot off the pedal in driving continued growth.
“Going into 2026 on the back of so much positivity gives me and everyone at Scottish Golf the incentive to push on with our plans.
“Clubs and facilities, the places where golf is enjoyed, are at the heart of community life in Scotland, and we will continue to back them with support, guidance and funding.
“We’ve entered 2026 with continuing vigour to grow the game and ensure anyone who wants to pick up a club has the opportunity to do so and can feel at home and welcomed in our sport.”
Participation in junior golf programmes grew by 55 percent with 6,800 youngsters taking part in 2025. GolfSixes Leagues, supported by the Golf Foundation and The R&A, and designed to target beginner juniors, saw 1,500 players from 132 clubs playing in 31 leagues countrywide.
In partnership with the Golf Foundation, Scottish Golf also delivered the ‘Unleash Your Drive’ initiative, which saw 132 schools take part in activities designed to build resilience and mental toughness through golf and create links with local clubs. This number is projected to rise to 184 schools by the end of the 2026 academic year.
Clyde concluded: “Golf is so much more than a game. For many it’s a social lifeline, a positive way to enjoy healthy exercise in the outdoors, to enjoy some spirited competition.
“Golf should be recognised as Scotland’s game for everyone, and we will continue to champion our sport in every community as the game that Scotland gave to the world.”