Golf is enjoying a historic surge across Great Britain, with rounds played reaching record-breaking levels at the halfway point of 2025.
According to the latest Sporting Insights Rounds Played Monitor, both second-quarter and half-year figures have set new benchmarks, buoyed by favourable conditions, strong championship seasons, and growing enthusiasm among players.
Compared with the same period in 2024, rounds played are up 25% in the second quarter and 23% for the year to date. The findings, which draw on two decades of comparative data, suggest that golf is not only rebounding from the early challenges of 2024 but also building on the participation boom seen in 2022 and 2023.
Growth Across the Regions
While the first quarter of 2025 held steady with the elevated participation levels of the past two years, the second quarter surpassed them decisively. Every region across Great Britain recorded double-digit growth in rounds played, with three of the four regions exceeding 20% increases. The north of England stood out as the strongest performer.
The surge is particularly striking given concerns earlier this year about a sluggish start to the season. Those fears have now been firmly put to rest by these latest figures.
A closer look at the second quarter reveals sustained momentum throughout the spring and early summer.
April: All four regions posted their biggest year-on-year gains, driven by favourable weather, pent-up demand after winter, and renewed interest spurred by special club offers. Analysts also point to the ‘Rory McIlroy effect’ following his dramatic victory at Augusta, where he completed the career Grand Slam.
May: Participation continued to climb, with rounds played up 24% compared to the previous year.
June: Rounds played in June were up +12%, providing a strong finish to the quarter and setting an optimistic tone for the remainder of the year, especially given that June 2024 had already set a high bar for participation.
Looking Ahead
The outlook for the remainder of 2025 is optimistic. Other indicators, including record numbers of handicap scores submitted in England, confirm the upswing in participation. Clubs, venues, and brands are now being urged to harness this momentum by reinvesting revenues and ensuring golf remains welcoming and accessible.
John Bushell, Managing Director of Sporting Insights, commented: “It’s great to be able to share these figures with the industry after such captivating weeks at both the men’s and women’s Open Championships. There is a buzz in golf that will have been immediately apparent to anyone who attended The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush or The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, and it is extremely pleasing to see that reflected on the course over recent months.
He added: “One relative unknown is the impact of the earlier conclusion to the majors, which is still quite a recent evolution, although it certainly did not seem to dim enthusiasm last year if we look back to the Q3 numbers. Still, with both men’s and women’s majors now concluded for the year, it will be interesting to see how the momentum is maintained through the end of summer and into the start of autumn. For now, huge congratulations to everyone involved in delivering such excellent service and keeping golfers so engaged through the first half of 2025.”
