112.2M
adults and juniors played golf in all forms across The R&A's affiliated markets in 2025.
This figure excludes the United States and Mexico, which are covered by the USGA.
Source: The R&A, global participation update, April 22, 2026Tee Time Cache reference
Golf participation statistics, 2026.
Current participation and score-posting numbers for golfers, writers, and anyone keeping an eye on where the game is growing.
Last updated September 17, 2026. Every figure below names its source and source date.
Read the numbers straight
Golf is growing in more than one direction.
Participation figures can mean different things. Global data captures adults and juniors across on-course and off-course formats in The R&A's affiliated markets. U.S. score-posting data captures golfers who maintain a Handicap Index. Both are useful, as long as they are not treated as the same measure.
Use the anchors below to cite a specific figure. For the original context, follow the source attached to that statistic.
The numbers
Golf by the numbers.
Source dates range from January through August 2026 and report on 2025 participation or play, unless noted.
+4.2M
year-over-year growth in golfers across those global markets.
The comparison is from 2024 to 2025.
Source: The R&A, global participation update, April 22, 202665M
adults played golf across The R&A's affiliated markets in 2025.
That was one million more adult golfers than the prior year.
Source: The R&A, global participation update, April 22, 202647.1M
juniors participated in golf across The R&A's affiliated markets in 2025.
That was 3.2 million more juniors than the prior year.
Source: The R&A, global participation update, April 22, 202668.3M
adults and juniors took part in off-course formats such as driving ranges and simulators in 2025.
The R&A tracks these formats alongside on-course play.
Source: The R&A, global participation update, April 22, 20263.68M
U.S. golfers maintained a Handicap Index and posted scores in 2025.
This is a score-posting measure, not a count of every golfer in the United States.
Source: USGA, 2025 Golf Scorecard, January 20, 202682M
scores were posted domestically by golfers with a Handicap Index in 2025.
The USGA called it a record year for score posting.
Source: USGA, 2025 Golf Scorecard, January 20, 202615.0M
nine-hole scores were posted in the U.S. in 2025.
That was a 5% increase from 2024 and more than 46% above 2020.
Source: USGA, 2025 Golf Scorecard, January 20, 202694.4%
of the 82 million U.S. scores posted in 2025 were recreational rounds.
The score-posting data is mostly a picture of everyday play, not elite competition.
Source: USGA, 2025 Golf Scorecard, January 20, 20263M+
Americans tried on-course golf for the first time in each year from 2020 through 2025.
The National Golf Foundation reports six consecutive years above that mark.
Source: National Golf Foundation, beginning-golfer update, August 14, 2026Method and sources
What this page measures.
This page only uses figures published by the organizations named below. It does not estimate missing numbers or combine separate studies into a single total.
- The R&A, April 22, 2026: 2025 participation across its affiliated markets, excluding the United States and Mexico.
- USGA, January 20, 2026: 2025 U.S. scores posted under the World Handicap System.
- National Golf Foundation, August 14, 2026: U.S. first-time on-course participation trend.
Cite this page: Tee Time Cache, “Golf Participation Statistics, 2026,” updated September 17, 2026, https://teetimecache.shop/golf-statistics.
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