August is National Golf Month, and there’s no better time to talk about the surging popularity of golf across the United States. If it feels like “everyone” is picking up a club or tuning into the latest tournament, you’re not imagining it, the game is experiencing a renaissance. Even here at TeachMe.To, we’ve seen the trend firsthand in our own lesson bookings and coach sign-ups. In this casual clubhouse chat, let’s explore how golf is booming in 2025, from our internal growth data to nationwide participation records.
Lessons and Coaches on the Rise (TeachMe.To’s Growth in 2025)
One clear sign of golf’s growing appeal is the spike in people seeking lessons. From the depths of winter to the heat of summer 2025, TeachMe.To’s platform has been buzzing. Our internal data from January through June shows dramatic month-to-month growth in lesson bookings, with only a tiny post-holiday dip before the floodgates opened:
February to March - Bookings surged by 32.8% as spring fever hit.
March to April - Up another 6.4% as the golf season gained momentum.
April to May - A huge jump of 24.5% heading into summer.
May to June - Continued growth of 9.3% as long days beckoned golfers.
Meanwhile, golf coaches have been joining TeachMe.To in droves, ready to meet this demand. Coach listings climbed rapidly in the spring:
Feb to Mar - Coaches on our platform increased by 38.7%.
Mar to Apr - Up another 19.5% as more instructors came on board.
Apr to May - Jumped 24.5%, keeping pace with student interest.
May to Jun - A slight 2.2% dip (after the big spring influx, a brief leveling off).
This kind of growth is astounding, and it’s not just a TeachMe.To thing, it reflects what’s happening in golf nationwide. After all, people flock to lessons when they’re excited about the game. The big spikes in March and May align with warmer weather and the buzz from major tournaments, showing how tightly connected fan interest is with actually playing golf. Our lesson boom is one small window into a larger trend: Americans are hitting the links (and the driving range) in record numbers.
Golf’s Popularity Reaches New Heights in the U.S.
So, just how popular is golf these days? In short: more popular than it has been in a long time. 2024 set records for U.S. golf participation, and 2025 is on track to continue the streak. Consider these eye-opening stats:
All-Time High Participation: Around 28 million Americans played traditional on-course golf in 2024, the most in 16 years. In fact, 2024 marked the seventh straight year of growth in golfers, with a net increase of 1.5 million players over 2023, the largest jump since the Tiger Woods boom around 2000. If you include everyone hitting balls at driving ranges, Topgolf venues, or indoor simulators, the total swells to 47.2 million people who played golf in some form last year. That’s a 5% rise from 2023 and a whopping 38% higher than pre-pandemic 2019.
Rounds and Courses, A “New Normal”: All those golfers are not just casually dabbling, they’re playing a ton of golf. For several years running, Americans have played 500 million+ rounds annually on our courses. The pandemic-era surge in play hasn’t faded; it’s become the new normal. Golf courses nationwide are as crowded as ever, and for the first time in decades, we’re even seeing more courses opening than closing.
A Broader, More Diverse Golf Community:
Part of what makes this golf boom feel so refreshing is how the sport is shedding its old stereotypes. It’s not just middle-aged men in plaid pants out there.
Youth Movement: Young adults (18–34) now make up the largest age segment of golfers. Over 7 million young adults hit the course in 2024, and millions more only swung clubs at off-course facilities. This age group has seen six straight years of growth, reaching decade-high participation levels.
Women in Golf: More women and girls are playing golf than ever before. Nearly 8 million female golfers played on-course in 2024, about 28% of all golfers, the highest share on record. In the past five years alone, the number of women playing grew 25%, and female participation is at an all-time high. For perspective, back in 2000 only ~15% of juniors were girls; now 35% of junior golfers are girls.
Off-Course Golf: One of the biggest growth drivers has been the rise of off-course golf entertainment. Think Topgolf, Drive Shack, indoor simulator lounges, putt-putt bars, fun, social settings that introduce people to golf without the intimidation of a country club. In 2024, 19.1 million Americans participated only in off-course golf. These are often total beginners who might have hesitated to visit a golf course at first. Nearly two-thirds of new golfers now start off at a driving range.
All these stats paint a clear picture: Golf in the U.S. is thriving. Participation is at record highs, rounds played are off the charts, and the game is connecting with broader audiences. Even public perception of golf has improved, it’s increasingly seen as an enjoyable outdoor activity for anyone, not an elitist hobby. Golf is “cool” again, in no small part due to pop culture boosts. Celebrities from NBA star Steph Curry sinking long-distance shots in televised tournaments to pop icon Justin Timberlake gushing about golf on social media have also given the sport a trendy sheen.
In short, golf is no longer just your grandfather’s pastime. It’s everywhere: on our TVs, in our Instagram feeds, at our local entertainment venues, and increasingly, part of our social lives.
Major Moments Fueling Golf Fandom
Nothing gets both avid golfers and casual fans more fired up than the drama of major championships. In 2025, the pro golf storyline has been nothing short of spectacular. The highs and lows of major tournaments, and the star players behind them, are converting mere interest into full-on golf obsession. Let’s relive a few of these moments, and see how they’re inspiring people to watch, cheer, and even play:
A Storybook Masters at Augusta: The Masters Tournament in April 2025 delivered a narrative for the ages. Rory McIlroy finally clinched the Green Jacket to complete the coveted career Grand Slam. It was a victory 14 years in the making, and it had everyone buzzing. Rory’s long quest ended in a sudden-death playoff win over Justin Rose, and the emotion was palpable. He dropped to his knees in tears as thousands of patrons cheered him on around the 18th green. “My dreams have been made today,” McIlroy said afterward, eyes wet, as he donned the green jacket at last. For golf fans, it was a chill-inducing moment.
U.S. Open, Underdog Heroics at Oakmont: Fast forward to June and the U.S. Open at Oakmont. If the Masters was about a familiar champion, the U.S. Open was about an unlikely new hero. J.J. Spaun, a 34-year-old tour veteran with zero previous majors, pulled off a stunning win for his first major title. And he did it in Hollywood fashion: by sinking a 64½-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to seal the victory. That putt was the longest made by anyone all week, and it came at the perfect time. Even one of his competitors,Tyrrell Hatton, stopped mid-interview to marvel at the scene: “He’s holed it... Unbelievable. What a putt to win. That’s incredible,” Hatton exclaimed, shaking his head at the audacity of Spaun’s finish. Spaun himself admitted he was “in shock, disbelief that it went in and it was over”. Think about that: a relative unknown comes out of nowhere to win America’s national championship with a miracle putt. Moments like this inject pure excitement into golf fandom. People love an underdog, and suddenly Spaun became a name known well outside golf circles.
The Open Championship, American Dominance Abroad: The majors season continued in July with The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler lifted the Claret Jug, winning by four strokes with a dominant wire-to-wire performance. Scheffler’s victory was his second major of 2025, confirming his status as the game’s hottest player. While his win lacked last-minute drama, it still had fans enthralled.
Ready to Tee It Up?
All of this momentum, our lesson growth, the record participation stats, the incredible pro tour moments, adds up to one conclusion: It’s a great time to be a golf lover. And if you’re new to golf or have been on the fence about giving it a try, there’s no time like the present to jump in. The game is more accessible, inclusive, and exciting than it’s ever been. National Golf Month is the perfect excuse to either pick up a club for the first time or dust off those old irons and get back out there.
And for those already bitten by the bug, this is the year to up your game. All the data shows more people are not only playing golf, but also seeking instruction to play better, and having more fun as a result. If Rory’s mastered his wedge game and Scottie’s dialed in his putter, maybe it’s time we work on ours too. Taking a lesson or two can do wonders for your confidence and skill, making golf that much more enjoyable. In the spirit of this golf boom, TeachMe.To is here to help you find the right coach and book a lesson when you’re ready.
So as we celebrate National Golf Month 2025, let’s celebrate the fact that golf is thriving in modern times. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a curious beginner, or an avid fan, you’re part of a vibrant community that’s only getting bigger and more diverse. The fairways are calling, the practice range is open late, and the excitement around the game is contagious.
Golf is booming, and there’s plenty of room on the bandwagon, or should we say, golf cart. 😉 Happy Golf Month, and see you out there on the course!
