Report Claims 40% Of Adults 'Engaged' With Golf In UK & Ireland

The PGA-commissioned 'Golf for All' report states the game is in good health on British shores

A trio of golfers watch a putt on the green
(Image credit: Future)

Almost half of all adults in the United Kingdom and Ireland engaged with golf in some capacity over the past year, a report commissioned by The Professional Golfers’ Association has found.

The PGA completed a widespread study, in association with Ipsos, called 'Golf for All' in order to better understand more about who plays the game and how it can evolve.

Three women playing adventure golf

Many people choose to play adventure golf as part of their engagement with the sport

(Image credit: The PGA)

A vast number of surveys were carried out, both online and offline, as The PGA aimed to discover the UK’s relationship with golf and how traditional perceptions of the game could be challenged.

In regard to the research findings, Robert Maxfield - Chief Executive of The PGA - said: “This research has already been an enlightening exercise for us at The PGA. It has confirmed our expectation that golf has changed irrevocably, and that there is huge scope for the golf industry to be more inclusive of different forms of the game and the people who play them.

“The report itself gives us detailed insight and is a ground-breaking look into just how far the game has come, and how big the opportunity is to tap into a huge population of people who are already engaged in golf that we haven’t had sight of in the past. It gives the industry the chance to diversify the sport’s fan base and user base, and that is hugely exciting.”

Jonny Leighfield
News Writer

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time.