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North America is by far the world’s leading golf market. In the US, golf is estimated to contribute more than US$60 billion to the economy – some 6% of GDP (gross domestic product). Meanwhile, with the exception of the British Isles, golf remains relatively underdeveloped in Europe, where it has been restricted traditionally to a moneyed elite. On the other hand, Japan and Oceania are highly developed and mature golfing markets. The global golf tourism market is worth over £10 billion (US$17.5 billion).

Golf attracts affluent, high-value-adding tourists who generate significantly above-average per capita revenues for the destinations they frequent. Golf tourists can be broken down into three basic categories:
tourists who go on holiday principally to play golf
tourists who play some golf as a secondary activity whilst on a holiday or business trip
those who attend tournaments as spectators.
It is difficult to isolate the full extent and impact of golf tourism, since trips which include golfing or attending tournaments may very well encompass other activities, such as conventions, corporate meetings, incentives, or other leisure activities, such as cruising or skiing.

The growth of golf tourism depends to a large extent on increases in the number of players, and on the availability of golfing facilities. The principal market for dedicated golf tours has been ‘regular’ golfers, who play at least eight to 12 times a year. Recently, however, there has been a noticeable stagnation and even decline in the numbers of ‘core’ golfers, particularly in the mature markets of the Anglo-Saxon countries. However, growth in the number of registered golfers in the wealthiest continental European countries continues apace. With the exception of Scandinavia, which is already a mature market, continental Europe offers significant growth potential as the rate of participation in the sport remains very low – at less than 1% of the population.

At the same time, the number of ‘occasional’ golfers is growing virtually worldwide, providing the opportunity for tour operators and resorts to offer golf as an add-on feature to holidays as well as MICE (meetings, incentives, convention & incentives) events. The competition for golfing tourists is heating up, as more and more destinations join the fray. Well-established golfing tourism regions include Florida, California, Scotland, Ireland and Spain, where the number of courses should double in the coming years. Countries such as Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia and even China are emerging golf destinations.

North America is by far the world’s leading golf market. In the US, golf is estimated to contribute more than US$60 billion to the economy – some 6% of GDP (gross domestic product). Meanwhile, with the exception of the British Isles, golf remains relatively underdeveloped in Europe, where it has been restricted traditionally to a moneyed elite. On the other hand, Japan and Oceania are highly developed and mature golfing markets. The global golf tourism market is worth over £10 billion (US$17.5 billion).

Golf attracts affluent, high-value-adding tourists who generate significantly above-average per capita revenues for the destinations they frequent. Golf tourists can be broken down into three basic categories:
tourists who go on holiday principally to play golf
tourists who play some golf as a secondary activity whilst on a holiday or business trip
those who attend tournaments as spectators.
It is difficult to isolate the full extent and impact of golf tourism, since trips which include golfing or attending tournaments may very well encompass other activities, such as conventions, corporate meetings, incentives, or other leisure activities, such as cruising or skiing.

The growth of golf tourism depends to a large extent on increases in the number of players, and on the availability of golfing facilities. The principal market for dedicated golf tours has been ‘regular’ golfers, who play at least eight to 12 times a year. Recently, however, there has been a noticeable stagnation and even decline in the numbers of ‘core’ golfers, particularly in the mature markets of the Anglo-Saxon countries. However, growth in the number of registered golfers in the wealthiest continental European countries continues apace. With the exception of Scandinavia, which is already a mature market, continental Europe offers significant growth potential as the rate of participation in the sport remains very low – at less than 1% of the population.

At the same time, the number of ‘occasional’ golfers is growing virtually worldwide, providing the opportunity for tour operators and resorts to offer golf as an add-on feature to holidays as well as MICE (meetings, incentives, convention & incentives) events. The competition for golfing tourists is heating up, as more and more destinations join the fray. Well-established golfing tourism regions include Florida, California, Scotland, Ireland and Spain, where the number of courses should double in the coming years. Countries such as Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia and even China are emerging golf destinations.