Record-breaking year for Golf in America - The Annual Golf Report

Executive Summary

Key Findings:

A record 47.2 million Americans played golf in some form (on-course or off-course) during 2024, a 5% increase from the prior year and 38% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
There were approximately 3.4 million people who played golf on a course for the first time in 2024 – a record number of newcomers. The industry has now seen over 3 million beginner golfers each year for the past four years.
Golf participation has gone up in the U.S. in recent years, but the biggest boost came during the pandemic (2020–2022), when people sought socially distant outdoor activities.
Over the last 5 years, women playing golf increased 25%, and non-white players by 27%.
Since 2024, TeachMe.To golf instructors have provided more than 10,000 hours of individual instruction across the U.S. and have earned an average of $64 per hour.
Off-course golf experiences – from high-tech entertainment venues to indoor simulators – introduced millions to the game and served as a gateway to traditional play. Nearly two-thirds of new golfers in 2024 first experienced golf off-course (e.g. at Topgolf or driving ranges) before stepping on a green-grass course.
The year also saw golf further embed itself in popular culture. Social media influencers, athletes, and celebrities with large followings shined a spotlight on golf, boosting its “cool factor” among younger audiences.
Major golf markets, including Los Angeles (we discussed the California Golf landscape here), New York, San Francisco and Miami led the nation in the total volume of golf lessons served in 2024 – while several emerging markets, including Detroit, MI; Jacksonville, FL; Raleigh, NC; Columbus, OH; and San Bernardino, CA experienced the fastest growth rates in instruction bookings.

The TeachMe.To 2025 Golf Coaching Report provides a comprehensive review of the state of golf coaching and participation in the United States over the last year, along with insights and projections for the year ahead. Compiled by TeachMe.To’s research team, the report couples industry-wide data with TeachMe.To’s internal analytics to paint a full picture of trends in the golf world – from national participation surges to grassroots coaching dynamics.

The Sport of Golf is Alive and Well

Golf in the United States continues to enjoy record participation levels. In 2024, an estimated 28.0 million people played “green-grass golf”, the highest on-course participation since 2008. When you include off-course golf participation - activities like driving ranges, indoor simulators, and entertainment venues - the total U.S. golf participant pool swells to 47.2 million people as of 2024 - with more than one in seven Americans playing golf in some form in the past year.

Golfers are not only playing, they are playing more frequently. Rounds played in recent years have been running 10% or more above the pre-pandemic averages from 2015-2019. Another encouraging statistic is the influx of beginners. There were approximately 3.4 million people who played golf on a course for the first time in 2023 – a record number of newcomers. The industry has now seen over 3 million beginner golfers each year for the past four years, far above historical norms.

What’s Driving Golf’s Growth Down the Fairway?

Several key growth drivers have contributed to golf’s ongoing upswing:

The COVID pandemic was a shot in the arm for golf. Golf was one of the few sports well-suited to socially distanced play, which drew many people to the game in 2020. By 2023 the game was about 40% larger than it was five years prior in terms of participants.
Golf is becoming more diverse. Over the last 5 years, women playing golf increased 25%, and non-white players by 27%.
Interactive golf experiences are exploding. Destinations like Topgolf, Drive Shack and other indoor simulator lounges have lowered the intimidation factor and time commitment associated with golf. In 2023, nearly 33 million people participated in off-course golf activities – and about two-thirds were completely new to the sport. The number of Americans using golf simulators reached about 6.2 million in 2023, which is a 73% increase since 2019.
Instructional technology is now more available. Devices that were once only available to Tour pros or high-end instructors are now attainable at a fraction of the cost. Any golfer can download apps that provide instant feedback on their swing speed, ball trajectory, and other metrics on the driving range or even at home. Instructors have also adopted these tools, making lessons more data-driven and personalized. Many TeachMe.To coaches, such as Rob Macgregor in Phoenix, now use simulator technology to record swings and provide students with slow-motion video analysis and telestration, enhancing the lesson experience.
Golf is cool again. High-profile moments – from major championship dramas to the launch of the popular Netflix docu-series, “Full Swing” – kept golf in the public eye in 2024. Social media has also amplified golf’s reach with viral videos of amazing shots - or of celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Steph Curry sharing their love for the game, also helped attract new fans and kick the stigma that golf is a stuffy, elitist sport. We even see golf apparel becoming a fashion statement with people wearing golf hats or polo shirts as streetwear, influenced by trendy golf clothing brands that cater to younger styles.
Lessons, Lessons Everywhere. Programs from the PGA of America, LPGA/USGA, First Tee, and local golf associations are making lessons, clinics, and affordable play more available. Meanwhile, TeachMe.To has emerged as the go-to marketplace for booking local golf lessons in more than 500 locations nationally. More than 1,000 TeachMe.To golf instructors provided 4,165 golf lessons in 2024.

Infrastructure & Access

Public access to golf has also improved - and continues to grow. It’s estimated that roughly 75% of U.S. golf courses are open to the public and many municipalities are investing in their public courses, driving ranges, and junior programs. Some of the largest investments in golf access in the U.S. include:

Midland County, Texas

In 2024, Midland County resumed plans for a new golf course, with estimated costs between $12 million and $20 million. Once complete, it would be the second municipal golf course in Midland County - which also owns and operates Hogan Park Golf Course.

San Diego, California

San Diego's three municipal golf courses - Torrey Pines, Balboa Park, and Mission Bay - have collectively hosted a record-breaking 420,000 rounds of golf and generated $40 million in revenue. This revenue has enabled the city to plan further investments, including a master plan to replace the existing clubhouse and maintenance facilities at Torrey Pines.

Lake Oswego, Oregon

The city of Lake Oswego approved a $3.2 million design-build contract to renovate its municipal golf course, converting the 18-hole, par-3 course into a nine-hole executive course with a driving range and new maintenance building.

St. George, Utah

St. George has allocated $1.3 million for improvements and renovations to the clubhouses at the Southgate Golf Club and St. George Golf Club - part of a broader $7.4 million budget for the city's golf department.

Kansas City, Missouri

In August 2023, Kansas City approved $1.15 million for renovations at Shoal Creek Golf Course and Minor Park Golf Course.

Advances in technology and business models have also increased access. Booking a tee time or a lesson is easier than ever with online platforms like TeachMe.To for coaching, and various apps for tee times, reducing friction for consumers.

This breadth of infrastructure and access points has been crucial in supporting the surge of interest in golf. In the years ahead, maintaining this accessibility through public course support, new venue development, and continued innovation will be key to converting interest into long-term participation.

Demographic Shifts

One of the most significant stories in golf’s recent growth is the demographic shift underway. The golf community is becoming more diverse and inclusive, with notable increases in participation among women, juniors, and people of color. Historically underrepresented groups in golf are now the fastest-growing segments. Women in particular have made huge strides:

The female golfer population has grown by about 23% since 2018, reaching roughly 7.9 million women and girls in 2024 – an all-time high.
Women now account for approximately 26% of all golfers.
Many brands have taken notice and are now promoting women’s golf through national media campaigns featuring the sports’ greatest stars. Several LPGA golfers have recently appeared in TV commercials, including Nelly Korda (T-Mobile), Lexi Thompson (Rolex, Club Champion, Cobra, Zurich, Rocket Mortgage), and others like Brooke Henderson, Alison Lee, and Lilia Vu.

The average age of golfers has also trended younger in recent years as juniors and young adults swell the ranks – the average age of U.S. golfers dropped from about 45 to 43.5 in the past five years. Young adults (18–34 year olds) remain the largest age cohort in golf, with around 6.3 million playing on-course and an additional 5.8 million playing off-course formats.

Racial and ethnic diversity in golf has also improved substantially. Golf has traditionally had low participation from Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations relative to their share of the general population. That is changing. The number of people of color playing golf jumped 43% since 2018. As of 2023, roughly 23% of on-course golfers are non-white, up from about 18% five years prior. In raw numbers, there are nearly 7 million golfers who are people of color in 2024 – a record high.

Regional Analysis

While national trends paint the overall picture, golf participation and coaching can vary significantly by region. In this section, TeachMe.To utilizes internal data alongside industry context to highlight which areas of the country are leading in golf instruction and which are emerging as new hot spots. Two focal points are presented: the Top 10 golf metros for lesson volume, and a look at emerging or smaller markets that are showing exceptional growth.

Top 10 Golf Metros

TeachMe.To’s data for 2024 reveals a clear concentration of golf lesson activity in several major metropolitan areas. Not surprisingly, many of these are traditional golf strongholds with large populations and favorable climates. Below is a summary table of the Top 10 Metro Areas by the number of golf lessons booked in 2024, along with their year-over-year growth rates:

Table: Top 10 Metro Areas by Number of Golf Lessons Booked and their Growth in 2024

As the table indicates, Washington, DC and New York stand out with the highest lesson-booking growth in 2024—remarkable in two regions known for their seasonal golf climates. This surge highlights how sheer population size, strong economic conditions, and a growing indoor simulator scene can offset weather challenges. Even when outdoor courses aren’t in prime condition, demand remains robust as avid golfers take advantage of new practice technologies.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas–Fort Worth continue to dominate among Sun Belt metros, thanks to their year-round playable weather, abundance of courses, and deeply rooted golf cultures. Southern California, in particular, boasts hundreds of courses and a massive golfer base, leading to the highest volume of TeachMe.To lessons in 2024.

Several other major metros also make a strong showing:

Houston and Austin: Two of the nation’s fastest-growing metros, each firmly establishing themselves as premier golf hubs and, in the process, challenging Dallas for the “golf capital of Texas.”
Seattle and Boston: Despite their cooler climates, both cities recorded notable growth this year, aided by milder winters that kept outdoor courses open longer and the launch of more than 14 new indoor golf facilities. These simulator lounges have become key drivers of instruction bookings and off-season engagement.

Overall, the hottest golf metros combine large, active golf communities with plenty of coaching options and the ability to play year-round. Even so, it’s clear that northern cities equipped with indoor courses—and benefiting from milder winters—are also helping push golf’s national growth to record highs. And beyond these established markets, smaller metros continue to gain ground, showing that this surge in interest isn’t limited to traditional powerhouses.

Emerging/Smaller Markets

Beyond the big cities, TeachMe.To’s data illuminates several emerging markets for golf coaching – smaller metropolitan areas or cities that saw exceptionally high growth in lesson bookings during 2024. These markets might not rival the top metros in absolute size, but their growth rates suggest a rising wave of golf interest. Below is a chart highlighting a selection of the fastest-growing cities for TeachMe.To golf lessons (by percentage increase over the past year):

Table: Top 10 Golf Metros by Lesson Volume Growth – 2024

What is behind this growth?

Detroit, MI: Detroit’s golf scene is riding a heat wave – literally – with an unseasonably warm winter in early 2024 letting players into courses earlier than usual. Add in the buzz from hosting a PGA Tour event and even a brand-new upscale public course opening nearby, and it’s no wonder the Motor City saw a nearly 600% surge in folks signing up for golf lessons.
Jacksonville, FL: The Jacksonville area boasts a diverse array of golf courses, with over 70 private and public options - many of which are on the cutting-edge, equipping golf carts with GPS and other advancements, enhancing the playing experience and attracting tech-savvy golfers. And with the famed TPC Sawgrass (home of The Players Championship) in its backyard boosting the sport’s visibility, demand for lessons has spiked.
Raleigh, NC: The Raleigh area is welcoming waves of new residents (Wake County alone saw about 35 people moving in per day last year.) This influx – coupled with a youthful, tech-driven community vibe and the introduction of indoor golf venues, like "Golf Golf Golf" near downtown – has created a perfect recipe for a roughly 496% jump in golf lesson demand.
Columbus, OH: Columbus is ideal for beginner golfers as it offers a range of public courses - from Raymond Memorial Golf Course to Wilson Road Golf Course - there’s a course that provides local access to the game. The interest in lessons saw a peak around the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament, skyrocket by about 469% as people rushed out to sharpen their swings.
San Bernardino, CA: The Inland Empire has been one of California’s fastest-growing regions, and all those new families and young professionals moving in are looking for their new activity under the sun – which often means golf. Between the perpetual SoCal sunshine and the rise of cool new golf hangouts, like Topgolf, the region teed up a 382% leap in golf lesson sign-ups as a fresh wave of newcomers decided to learn the game.
Kansas City, MO-KS: Kansas City is in the midst of a mini golf renaissance: even its storied Oakwood Country Club debuted a new par-3 course designed to hook beginners and scratch players alike, and several high-tech indoor simulator venues have popped up around town. Demand for lessons has spiked 382% over the last year as KC locals pour into both new and old golf facilities to up their game.
Indianapolis, IN: Organizations like Indiana Golf are supercharging the local golf scene by constructing new facilities, such as the Pete and Alice Dye Indiana Golf Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, offering an indoor golf academy and a short game practice area. This fun, innovative vibe around the game led to a 330% boom in golf lessons, as more locals decided to give the sport a try or take their skills to the next level.
Minneapolis, MN: The introduction of indoor golf simulators and adult-oriented mini-golf venues like The Puttery in downtown Minneapolis now offer year-round access to the sport. The Minneapolis area saw lesson demand soar 321% as people who would usually be shoveling snow were scheduling indoor tee times and lessons instead.
Austin, TX: Austin’s ongoing population boom (over 50,000 new residents in one recent year) has accelerated interest in all things outdoors – golf included. Combine a flood of new residents, engaging venues like Dr. Golf Studio and Pin Seekers Golf Lounge, and the beautiful weather, and you get a 289% spike in golf lessons.
Orlando, FL: Year-round golf-ready weather and the local buzz surrounding big-time tournaments like the Arnold Palmer Invitational, make it easy to take an interest in golf. Both new and existing residents flocked to driving ranges, resulting in a 282% increase in lesson bookings year-over-year.

The Emerging Golf Coach Economy

By the end of 2024, TeachMe.To was home to 1,460 active golf coaches up from 348 coaches at the end of 2023. The growing demand for golf lessons has provided instructors with a steady stream of students and the TeachMe.To platform has made scheduling students simple and profitable.

The new coaches joining TeachMe.To in 2024 came from a variety of backgrounds. A number of PGA and LPGA teaching professionals now offer lessons through TeachMe.To as a way to reach students outside their home club or to fill gaps in their schedules. Additionally, many independent instructors and golf enthusiasts with coaching experience have joined the platform, including some younger coaches who are early in their teaching careers and see TeachMe.To as a way to establish themselves. Notable growth in coach counts occurred in states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, where high demand prompted TeachMe.To to add significantly more instructors to maintain low student-to-coach ratios. Since 2024, TeachMe.To golf instructors have provided more than 10,000 hours of individual instruction across the U.S. and have earned an average of $64 per hour.

The Final Score Card

Over the course of 2024, we saw golf’s participant base reach record highs, fueled by a confluence of favorable trends – from the accessibility offered by off-course venues and technology, to a cultural shift that has made golf more mainstream and appealing to new audiences. The data highlights significant strides in diversity: more women, juniors, and people of color are not only picking up clubs but becoming an integral part of the golf community. This influx of new golfers has been matched by robust engagement, with rounds played remaining at historic levels and many beginners seeking coaching to improve and deepen their enjoyment of the game.

TeachMe.To’s own metrics echo these broader trends. The platform experienced exceptional growth in lessons and coaching network size, demonstrating the demand for convenient, personalized instruction. By lowering barriers to finding a golf coach, TeachMe.To has introduced thousands of beginners to the guidance they need to progress – an essential factor in turning curious newcomers into committed golfers. The success stories within our data – a 75% jump in lessons, a thriving contingent of women and junior students, and expansion into new cities – are not just company milestones; they are indicators of the golfing public’s evolving needs and preferences. We have learned that today’s golfer values flexibility, choice, and a welcoming environment, and these lessons will inform how we and the industry serve them going forward.

As we look to 2025, the outlook for golf coaching and the industry at large is overwhelmingly positive. The foundation laid over the past few years suggests that the surge in golf’s popularity is more than a pandemic-era blip – it is a sustainable upswing with real staying power.