The EGA, alongside The R&A, is delighted to announce the publication of the 2023 European Golf Participation Report.

Based on inputs by EGA member federations, the report gives an insight into golf participation metrics and trends across the continent.

After a significant jump in participation during the Covid crisis, golf has continued to thrive in Europe in the aftermath of the pandemic. The total number of registered golfers has increased by 5.6% percent to nearly 4.6 million players.

This year’s report includes new estimation methods for non-registered players and, for the first time, a ‘total engagement’ metric. According to the analysis of Sporting Insights, an impressive 21.1 million people are estimated to have played any type of on-course or alternative format of golf at least once in the past year.

Although in part due to the new calculation methods surrounding non-registered players, the total number of 9 & 18 hole golfers has also seen a significant jump since the last report. 14 million people are now estimated to have played golf on a 9 or 18 hole course once in the past year, compared to 10.6 million from the 2020 numbers.

“Collating data, understanding more about different types of golfers and tracking key trends in participation are important tasks that help guide initiatives to attract and retain golfers across Europe” said EGA General Secretary, Michael Thannhäuser.

“I am delighted to once again report an overall positive trend in participation in Europe and would like to commend all EGA member federations for successfully navigating the Covid-19 crisis and embracing new opportunities to attract new players to the game”.

“I have no doubt that readers will find valuable information in the European Golf Participation Report. Thank you to all EGA member federations for taking the time to provide their data, and to The R&A for their remarkable work to support the game in Europe and worldwide.”

The report also confirms positive trends in female and junior golf participation, which have both seen roughly 3% increases in registered numbers over the last two years. Although undeniably positive, these two numbers are lower than the 7% increase seen in registered adult male golfers, meaning the majority of newcomers to the game are men. On a worldwide comparison, 13 out of the top 20 markets with the highest female participation and 15 out of the top 20 markets with the highest junior participation are located in Europe.

The complete 2023 European Participation Report can be downloaded below: