Golf in Europe - Statistics & Facts
Although the modern game of golf originated in Scotland, it has subsequently gained popularity throughout the world. Today, golf in Europe is well established, particularly in the countries within the North and West of the continent, and is beginning to gain popularity throughout South eastern regions and within Central Europe. Although golf participation in Scotland saw a significant decrease over the past decade, from nine percent of the population playing golf at least once a month in 2007, to only six percent in 2018, golf remains one of the most popular sports in the UK with approximately 980 thousand people reporting participation at least twice a month in England.
In Europe, there are over 4.1 million registered golfers and approximately 6.8 thousand registered golf courses. In 2018, the greatest share of these golf courses were situated in England over 1.8 thousand golf courses. Germany and France exhibited the second and third greatest share of registered golf courses with 730 and 607 official golf courses respectively. Although considerably less developed than many regions within Western Europe, Czechia, and Poland are considered the largest of the emerging golf markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
Within these statistics a very clear demographic profile of golf participants emerges. Particularly in relation to age and gender. With data from France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands it was forecasted that in 2020 approximately 42 percent of registered golf players will be over 60 years old, with 24 percent between 50 and 60 years old. Similarly the vast majority of golfers across Europe are male. With the highest share of female participants found in Liechtenstein with only 36 percent of registered golfers.
In Europe, there are over 4.1 million registered golfers and approximately 6.8 thousand registered golf courses. In 2018, the greatest share of these golf courses were situated in England over 1.8 thousand golf courses. Germany and France exhibited the second and third greatest share of registered golf courses with 730 and 607 official golf courses respectively. Although considerably less developed than many regions within Western Europe, Czechia, and Poland are considered the largest of the emerging golf markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
Within these statistics a very clear demographic profile of golf participants emerges. Particularly in relation to age and gender. With data from France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands it was forecasted that in 2020 approximately 42 percent of registered golf players will be over 60 years old, with 24 percent between 50 and 60 years old. Similarly the vast majority of golfers across Europe are male. With the highest share of female participants found in Liechtenstein with only 36 percent of registered golfers.
