What country is golf the most popular?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 14, 2026
Countries Where Golf Is Most Popular
- IRELAND. Despite the fact that golf was invented in Scotland, their next door neighbor, Ireland, is the most popular country for the sport. ...
- CANADA. ...
- UNITED KINGDOM. ...
- UNITED STATES. ...
- SOUTH AFRICA. ...
- JAPAN.
Where is golf mostly played?
Still, the sport is geographically concentrated, with 74% of the world supply of courses located in the top 10 golfing countries: the United States, Canada, Japan, England, Australia, Germany, France, Scotland, Sweden and South Africa. The majority of worldwide supply is located in the western hemisphere.
Which country is best at golf?
Scotland. Topping our list of the best countries to play golf is Scotland. Which comes as no surprise as it also tops the list of the most exclusive golf courses in the UK. Often described as the home of golf and looked up to as an iconic location to play the sport, Scotland tops the list with locations such as St.
Which country produces the most golf?
Here's how they stack up:
- Scotland. m. Population. 13822.
- Australia. m. Population. 18842. ...
- Denmark. m. Population. 19504. ...
- England. m. Population. 32949. People per OWGR. ...
- USA. 316. m. Population. 38248. ...
- Ireland. m. Population. 39738. People per OWGR. ...
- South Africa. m. Population. 45298. People per OWGR. ...
- Spain. m. Population. 77924. People per OWGR. ...
Is golf popular in America?
Golf is a popular pastime in the US for many reasons with more than 24 million Americans playing the game. Five of the top 10 professional players in the world are American and this has definitely helped boost the viewing stats for many of the big golf tournaments.
23 related questions foundIs golf popular in Japan?
Golf (ゴルフ) is a popular sport in Japan.
Why is golf not popular?
The golden age of golf appears to have come and gone and the demographics population in general is getting older. The decline in golf is surely in part due to those who love the game getting too old to play it and dying off, leaving the numbers of golfers continuing to dwindle.
Is golf popular in Germany?
Germany is one of the largest golfing nations in Europe with over 700 golf clubs and over 600.000 golfers. Out of all the golfers roughly 57% are males, 35% female and 8% junior players.
Is golf popular in Korea?
South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
Is golf popular in Ireland?
Golf is still very popular in Ireland, most would even combine it with other sports. The best thing about golfing in Ireland is you can avoid the crowds, depending on the time of year, and get to play on some of the best courses in the world surrounded by stunning scenery.
Which country is No 1 in golf?
France. The first entry onto our list of the best pound for pound golf nations is France. Male French golfers have a total of 1 major championship to their names. This win dates all the way back to 1907 and that winner was Arnaud Massy.
Where is the golf capital of the world?
Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the Grand Strand has a golf course for every level! Thanks to it being the area with the most golf courses, per-capita, Myrtle Beach has been named the Golf Capital of the World!
Where is golf most popular in the US?
America's Most Golf-Rich States
- Florida – 1,055.
- California – 928.
- New York – 832.
- Michigan – 825.
- Texas – 808.
- Ohio – 757.
- Pennsylvania – 690.
- Illinois – 669.
Is golf popular in Spain?
Spain's geographic diversity and excellent weather makes it ideal for golfing and one of the most popular holiday golfing destinations in the world.
Is golf popular in France?
Golf's popularity growing in France
The French Golf Federation is the 7th biggest sports federation in France. Just behind rugby and, defying all expectations, just ahead of pétanque! It's really popular, then. And it's showing no signs of stopping...
Where is golf popular in Europe?
Over in Europe, golf remains popular mostly across Northern Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Still, there are a few outliers like Spain and Italy where people enjoy the sport.
Do they play golf in Japan?
Japan Has Half Of Asia's Golf Courses, But The Game's Popularity There Is Flagging : Parallels In the 1980s, Japan built thousands of golf courses and the game became baked into its business culture. Those days are over. Golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40 percent since 1996.
Is golf a luxury sport?
Golf, tennis, and equestrian sports are among the most popular luxury sports. Their appeal is in part traditional, and in part due to the exclusive nature of these sports, which require a good amount of money to play or watch.
Is golf illegal in China?
Despite a ban in 2004 that limits the number of golf courses in China due to environmental impact concerns, the number has more than tripled since 2004. At that time, only 170 courses existed.
Can Americans play golf in Germany?
“To play golf in Germany, most golfers must possess a license called a “Platzreife” before they can get on the green. To get a license, you can expect to pay at least $300 for a five-day course that involves several hours of training each day. Then you have to pass a series of tests.
How many golf courses are there in Spain?
Golf in Spain
There are a total of 398 golf courses in Spain with 70 golf courses within the world renowned Costa del Sol that stretches along the South Coast, where the mediterranean sea meets the perfectly manicured fairways of southern Spain's prime golfing real estate.
How many public golf courses are there in Germany?
According to the German Golf Association there are 727 golf courses in the country serving more than 640,000 affiliated golfers (2019).
Is golfing a dying sport?
Golf is not a dying sport. The increase in rounds played in 2021 from 2020 during the pandemic, and increased numbers of people going to golf facilities like Topgolf is a clear sign that interest and participation in the game is far from waning, especially with ladies and juniors.
Is golf declining in Canada?
Golf executives in Canada like to talk about how it's the country's No. 1 participation sport, played by about 5.7 million people. But that figure masks a decades-long stagnation during which the number of rounds played dropped to 57 million in 2019 from 67 million in 1996.
Do golfers live longer?
As golf can provide moderate-intensity physical activity – you can reap the rewards and outpace the grim reaper. A Swedish study found a 40% lower mortality rate amongst golfers, relative to non-golfers. That means a potential extra 5-years of life – regardless of age, or gender! Golfers live longer than non-golfers.