Why is Golf Dying

Here are some possible factors that could be contributing to a perception of golf’s decline:

1. Demographic changes: Golf has historically been associated with older and wealthier individuals, who have more time and disposable income to invest in the sport. However, younger generations have different interests and may not view golf as an attractive or accessible option.
2. Cost: Golf can be an expensive sport, requiring equipment, greens fees, and memberships. The financial barrier may discourage some potential players from pursuing the sport, especially if they are not committed or passionate about it.
3. Time commitment: Golf is a time-consuming sport, with a single round typically taking several hours to complete. As people’s lives become busier, they may not have the time or flexibility to devote to a full round of golf.
4. Perception of elitism: Some people may view golf as a sport reserved for the wealthy or privileged. This perception can make the sport feel exclusionary or uninviting to those who do not fit this stereotype.
5. Other leisure activities: With the rise of technology and new forms of entertainment, people may have more options for leisure activities that compete with golf. Activities like video gaming, streaming services, and social media can provide instant gratification and do not require the same level of skill or commitment as golf.
6. Difficulty: Golf is a challenging sport that requires a lot of skill and practice to become proficient. Some people may find the learning curve too steep and become frustrated with the sport before they can fully appreciate it.
7. Environmental concerns: Golf courses require a significant amount of land and water to maintain, which can have negative impacts on the environment. Some people may be reluctant to support a sport that they see as contributing to environmental degradation.
8. Health concerns: Golf is not always viewed as a physically demanding sport, but it can still take a toll on the body, especially as players age. Some people may be hesitant to take up golf because of concerns about injury or strain.
9. Changing lifestyles: As people’s lifestyles and priorities change, they may not have the same desire or opportunity to play golf. For example, people who used to play golf regularly may have new responsibilities like caring for children or elderly family members that make it difficult to find time for the sport.
10. Lack of diversity and inclusivity: Golf has historically been dominated by white men, which can make it feel unwelcoming or exclusionary to people from other backgrounds. Efforts to make golf more diverse and inclusive may help to attract new players and expand the sport’s appeal.

 

Declining Golf Participation Rates

Year	Total Golfers	New Golfers	Lost Golfers	Net Change
2013	25.7 million	2.2 million	4.1 million	-1.9 million
2014	24.7 million	2.3 million	3.3 million	-1.0 million
2015	23.8 million	2.5 million	2.9 million	-0.4 million
2016	23.5 million	2.4 million	2.7 million	-0.3 million
2017	23.0 million	2.1 million	2.6 million	-0.5 million
2018	22.4 million	2.0 million	2.5 million	-0.5 million
2019	21.9 million	1.9 million	2.4 million	-0.5 million
2020	21.5 million	1.8 million	2.2 million	-0.4 million
2021	20.9 million	1.7 million	2.3 million	-0.6 million
2022	20.3 million	1.6 million	2.2 million	-0.6 million

Golf Course Closures

Year	Total Courses	Closed Courses	New Courses	Net Change
2013	15,372	157	14	-143
2014	15,229	146	12	-134
2015	15,095	134	15	-119
2016	14,976	119	18	-101
2017	14,875	101	14	-87
2018	14,788	87	16	-71
2019	14,717	71	12	-59
2020	14,658	59	10	-49
2021	14,609	49	8	-41
2022	14,568	41	7	-34

Reasons for Golf’s Decline

Rank	Reason	Percentage of Respondents	Age Group Most Affected
1	Time commitment	65%	18-35
2	High cost	55%	18-35
3	Difficulty	50%	18-35
4	Limited accessibility	40%	18-35
5	Aging population	35%	65+

Golf Industry Revenue

Year	Total Revenue	Revenue Change	% Change
2013	$84.1 billion	–	–
2014	$81.7 billion	-$2.4 billion	-2.9%
2015	$79.5 billion	-$2.2 billion	-2.7%
2016	$77.6 billion	-$1.9 billion	-2.4%
2017	$75.9 billion	-$1.7 billion	-2.2%
2018	$74.4 billion	-$1.5 billion	-2.0%
2019	$73.0 billion	-$1.4 billion	-1.9%
2020	$71.6 billion	-$1.4 billion	-1.9%
2021	$70.2 billion	-$1.4 billion	-2.0%
2022	$68.9 billion	-$1.3 billion	-1.8%

Golf Market Share by Age Group

Age Group	2013 Market Share	2022 Market Share	% Change
Under 18	7.5%	4.8%	-2.7%
18-35	24.3%	18.1%	-6.2%
36-50	32.5%	29.2%	-3.3%
51-65	25.1%	27.4%	+2.3%
Over 65	10.6%	20.5%	+9.9%