Main sports activities analysis and knowledge analytics firm Sporting Insights has revealed {that a} fourth quarter surge ensured that the typical variety of rounds of golf performed per course in Nice Britain in 2024 recovered to only under 2023 ranges.
Based on its newest figures, after three successive quarters of declining rounds performed (versus 2023), the fourth quarter of 2024 (October-December) bucked the pattern.
Common rounds rose by 17% throughout the nation, together with by 30% within the North of England. Consequently, the typical rounds performed determine for the yr ended down simply 2% nationally. Two of the areas, the North and the South, noticed barely extra golf performed in 2024 than in 2023. The degrees of tee time utilization have been additionally greater in 2024 than in 2022 on common.
Taking a look at October, November, and December individually, ranges of golf play have been greater in every month of the quarter than in both 2023 or 2022.
The findings counsel that what many had been arguing was a ‘decline’ again in direction of pre-pandemic ranges has been overstated. 2024’s year-end figures are comparable not simply to 2023 (down -2%) however fractionally greater than 2022.
This chart, revealed half-way by means of 2024, reveals how ’rounds performed’ have been down within the first half of final yr in comparison with 2023, though they picked up for This fall (courtesy Sporting Insights)
John Bushell, joint MD of Sporting Insights, stated: “After publishing the half-year figures final yr, we advised that lots of underlying indicators for progress have been nonetheless sturdy. After a Q3 that was successfully flat towards 2023 and now a powerful This fall, we nonetheless really feel that evaluation holds.”
“As modern as it may be to place golf down, the reality is that the game has demonstrated now over a number of years a sustained increase in participation, particularly feminine participation, and within the whole quantity of play. Key metrics don’t get way more key than that.
“That isn’t to disclaim challenges although. Golf will not be resistant to financial pressures affecting discretionary spending, and we all know that many golf equipment are additionally feeling the pinch of rising operational prices, which will likely be a theme of 2025 and past. Nonetheless, the underside line is that golf does seem to have turn into a crucial a part of so many individuals’s lives that it’s so far weathering the financial storm, no less than so far as urge for food to step as much as the tee goes.
“We additionally know that, outdoors the scope of this report, extra persons are taking part in various codecs and shorter types of golf, which is contributing to a wider increase in various kinds of golf play. Golf continues to be in nice well being and we’re constructive for 2025.”
