The Demographic In Golf Is Shifting
Golf is becoming younger. And it is important for golf's future.
Every Monday, I write a newsletter breaking down the business in golf. Welcome to the new Perfect Putt members who have joined us since our last newsletter. Join 10,000+ intelligent and curious golfers by subscribing below.
Read Time: 6 minutes.
Hey Golfers —
The demographic in golf is shifting, and it’s changing fast.
The sport that once leaned heavily toward older players is now being redefined by younger participants and new approaches to keep up with the trend. Golf companies are adapting to this shift in a big way.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
We’ve touched on this before, but the surge in junior golf deserves another look.
The numbers are hard to ignore. Between 2019 and 2023, off-course junior golf participation skyrocketed by 82%, jumping from 2.2 million to 4 million. On-course junior golfers saw a significant rise, with a 40% increase, adding 1 million new players.
Today, juniors make up 13% of all on-course golfers and over 25% of off-course participants. And it’s not just the kids already playing — there’s serious potential growth ahead, with over 5 million non-golfing kids showing interest in getting on a course.
The average age has gotten younger. According to National Golf Foundation — the average age has decreased by 1.1 years, down to 43.5 from 44.6 in 2019.
Programs like Youth On Course have played a huge role in making the game more accessible. Offering rounds for as low as $5 for juniors, this initiative saw a 32% jump in membership and a 48% increase in rounds played last year. That’s over 700,000 rounds across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
And that’s just the start.
The Aspen Institute has also named golf the fastest-growing sport among kids ages 13-17, with a 45% increase in participation between 2019 and 2022.
Of course, golf companies aren’t sitting on their hands. They’re adjusting to this shift with innovations aimed squarely at younger players.
Golf brands are targeting young players with specialized equipment like lightweight clubs designed for smaller hands and slower swing speeds.
Growing brands like Flynn Golf and Charlie Golf are catering to the younger generation of golfers to handle the game without the frustration of adult-sized gear.
On top of that, junior golf programs have been vital in breaking down barriers. By offering junior tees, shorter games, and casual formats, golf is becoming more accessible to kids.Â
Golf companies are also tapping into the virtual world.
Platforms like Topgolf and mobile solutions like Dryvebox have given young golfers a tech-driven, low-pressure way to experience the game without stepping foot on a traditional course.
Here are some bullet points on the junior golf demographic cohort.
Off-course junior golf participants surged from 2.2 million to 4 million between 2019 and 2023, an 82% increase.
On-course junior golfers rose by 1 million, representing a 40% increase since 2019.
Juniors now make up 13% of on-course golfers and over 25% of off-course golf participants.
Female junior golfers now comprise more than 36% of junior participants.
Over 5 million non-golfing kids have shown strong interest in playing on a course.
The growth in junior golf opens up opportunities for new and existing companies to cater to the market as well as disrupt and innovate.
But it signals much more. It’s important for the golf ecosystem to have a healthy junior golf demographic.
I believe the chart below is one of the more important charts in golf. Let me explain.
Golfers that are 50 and over make up 43% of the total on-course participation rate. Golfers who are older than 65 make up 20% of the total on-course participation.
There are over 75 million baby boomers. And by 2030 — they will all be over 65.
In the coming years and decades, baby boomers will eventually cycle out of playing the game of golf. Baby boomers have been incredibly strong supporters and participants in the game.
Another great chart from NGF shows us the age cohorts and their respective growth.
Baby boomers cycling out of the game isn’t an overnight problem. It only becomes an overnight issue if golf does not prepare to grow other cohorts and invite people into the game.
But if golf does not make an effort to grow other cohorts, the issue could be detrimental to golf in future years.
The growth of junior golf is vital to sustain the great game of golf. And while we have certain supply and demand issues with tee times and golf courses have become congested, I will argue that it is better than the alternative.
We are heading in the right direction.
Have a great Tuesday. We will talk to you next week!
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Thanks for Stepping Up!! It is a pleasure to see young Folk enjoying "The Game"!! Even though I'm an "Old Guy" who enjoys watching The Young People Playing & Laffing along the way!! POSITIVE!!