I think it’s safe to say it’s officially cool to play golf. 2025 was another record-breaking year, with over 500 million on-course golf rounds played in the U.S. Golf is no longer the snooty sport exclusively reserved for the elite. A record 47 million Americans played golf in 2025, including on-course golf, simulators, and driving ranges. There were over 3.4 million beginner golfers in 2025. Social golfing is redefining the sport, placing more focus on fun than score, and driving revenue and participation sky high.
The COVID golf bump was clearly not a fluke. Golf continues to thrive and has been experiencing a sustained period of growth, particularly since the pandemic. The key driver of this growth is the 18–34 age group, with increases in both on-course and off-course play. The sport is becoming more accessible and is attracting more juniors and females than ever before.
Female participation reached a record high, with women making up 28% of all on-course players, and girls accounting for one-third of all junior golfers. Online access to virtually unlimited lessons (many of them free), YouTube golf videos, Topgolf, simulators, and driving ranges are introducing new people to the game every day.
Larry Salsman, PGA Master Golf Professional for Osage National Golf Resort, said:
“I have seen an increase in ladies participation. We are emphasizing fun more than competition and gaining a lot more buy-in. We are going to reinvent our ladies league and turn it into a ‘social club’ to hopefully create more traction in moving in this direction.”
All these new golfers need clubs, shoes, clothes, balls, and bags—driving industry revenue to new heights. The 2025 golf season had over a $100 billion impact on the U.S. economy alone. Global golf equipment sales are projected to exceed $26 billion, golf apparel sales are expected to reach $9 billion, and courses and country clubs are projected to generate over $34 billion. The golf business is making bank.
The Oaks and Osage National golf courses reported golf rounds at the Lake were comparable to the record-breaking 2024 season. Salsman said:
“Everyone wants to play around the same time, so it is hard to add too many more rounds if you are busy already.”
Make sure you plan in advance—because until there is legitimate night golf, there are only so many daylight hours.
Paul Leahy, Director of Golf for The Oaks Golf Course at Margaritaville Lake Resort, said:
“Membership was up slightly, which tells me more people are moving to the area full-time. Every weekend from March through September there are groups of 12–20 players, and most of the time multiple groups like these play at the course. Some are buddies’ trips and a lot are bachelor parties. The Lake seems to be the place to come for your bachelor party—where 40 years ago it was the place to honeymoon.”
On average, 15 new golf courses open in the U.S. every year, and worldwide only 25 new courses open annually. Missouri is lucky enough to claim one of the few new courses built in 2025: Big Cedar Lodge’s Cliffhangers par-3 course.
There seems to be no indication that the golf bubble is going to burst anytime soon. Have fun—and be one of the many golfers filling up the fairways in 2026.
“A record breaking 47 million Americans played golf in 2025 and this includes on-course golf, simulators and driving ranges.”