If you tried to book a Saturday morning tee time recently and found yourself staring at a screen that looked more like a sold-out Taylor Swift concert than a municipal golf course, you aren’t alone.



According to a year-end message from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), more people are playing golf in more ways than at any time in recorded history.

For the crusty veteran who misses the days of the four-hour round and empty fairways, this might sound like a nightmare. But for anyone who loves the vitality, future, and "cool factor" of our sport, we are officially living in the Golden Age of Golf.

Here is what the numbers actually mean for your game, your wallet, and that lukewarm hot dog at the turn.

We’ve spent the last few years assuming everyone picked up a 7-iron because they were bored during the pandemic. But the NGF points out that golf’s meteoric rise actually began in 2017, well before we knew what "social distancing" meant.

We are currently riding a massive heater. Consider this:

• Record Breaking: Four of the past five years have set all-time records for rounds played in America.
• Supply Correction: We did this with roughly 3,000 fewer golf courses than we had twenty years ago.
• The Reach: Approximately 2 out of every 5 Americans (136 million people) now play, watch, or follow golf.



What this means for you: The game isn't a fad. It’s a lifestyle shift. People are seeking "analog fulfillment"—a fancy way of saying we want to smash a white ball into nature to forget about our emails.We’ve spent the last few years assuming everyone picked up a 7-iron because they were bored during the pandemic. But the NGF points out that golf’s meteoric rise actually began in 2017, well before we knew what "social distancing" meant.

The stereotype of the golfer as a stodgy older gentleman in pleated khakis is officially dead.

• Women in Golf: We have hit a record 8.1 million female players.
• Diversity: There are 7.7 million people of color teeing it up.
• Junior Golf: The number of kids (ages 6-17) has skyrocketed nearly 60% since 2019.

If you think golf is booming now, wait until those juniors grow up. The game has become ubiquitous and—dare we say it—cool.

Perhaps the most shocking stat is this: 38 million people participate in golf away from the course. We’re talking driving ranges, simulator golf, and entertainment venues like Topgolf.

Compare that to 25 years ago, when only about 6 million people were mashing range balls.

The Instruction Takeaway:

If you are intimidated by the course, start on the screen. Launch monitor data helps you understand your swing mechanics (spin rate, launch angle) in a low-pressure environment before you ever lose a Pro V1 in the woods.

Here is the stat that should keep industry leaders up at night. In 2025, over six million people tried green-grass golf who didn't play the year before.

Great, right? Well, not exactly. The net growth of on-course players was only 1 million. That means we had millions of what the NGF calls "failed trials."

Translation: People tried golf, realized it is incredibly difficult, felt intimidated by the vibe, and quit.

Pro Tip: Customer experience is bigger than green speeds. If we want to keep these new players, we need to stop worrying about strict dress codes and start worrying about hospitality. The "front door" of golf needs to be welcoming, not a gatekeeper.

Because supply is tight and demand is high, greens fees are up. However, the NGF notes that because courses are finally financially healthy, they are investing back into the product. This means:

• Better turf products and irrigation (better lies in the fairway).
• Newer maintenance equipment (smoother greens).
• Renovated infrastructure (nicer clubhouses).

We likely won't see a boom in new course construction, so the courses we have are going to get nicer, busier, and more expensive.

As Herb Graffis, the NGF co-founder, once said, "It is the recreational golfer from whom all blessings flow."

Whether you are a scratch golfer or someone who just figured out which end of the putter to hold, you are part of a massive, healthy ecosystem. Golf provides exercise, social connection, and a healthy dose of humility.

So, the next time you're stuck waiting on the tee box, take a look around. The game is healthier than it has ever been. Just make sure you fix your divots, keep up the pace, and welcome the newbies—because they are here to stay.

This is Golf as You've Always Imagined!

Daniel is a Top 100 Golf Coach, The #1 Golf Instructor in PA, a PXG Staff Pro, a World Long Drive Coach and the Head of Golf Instruction at IMAGEN Golf the area's leading golf instruction and advisory firm, host of the IMAGEN Golf podcast and Best-Selling Author of "Unleash The Golfer Within".

For more information visit www.ImagenGolf.com or call 215-595-6299 Reach out to Daniel directly at:Daniel@ImagenGolf.com

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