For generations, golf was defined by elitism and exclusivity, tied to private clubs and reserved for a privileged few. But in recent years, due to factors like the growth of women’s golf, the sport is rapidly changing.
With new talent, younger crowds, and social media shaking things up, golf is finally moving past its old-school image and reaching a broader, more diverse audience. From record youth participation to new league formats and cultural figures like Steph Curry launching golf gear, today’s golf is more vibrant, inclusive, and culturally relevant than ever.
Quick Highlights:
- 57% of on-course golfers in the U.S. are now under age 50.
- Women and girls make up 28% of on-course players, a record high in 2024.
- Off-course golf is booming: simulator usage is up 73% since 2019, and 53% of users have never played a traditional round.
- Golf’s media presence is growing: Netflix’s Full Swing hit 28.5 million views within months.
- LIV Golf’s high-profile launch in 2022, backed by billions in Saudi funding, is disrupting the PGA Tour and attracting new global fans.
The New Contributors to the Game
One of the strongest signals of change is participation: over 47 million Americans played golf in 2024. While both on and off-course play have grown, off-course participation driven by entertainment venues has jumped 173% over the past decade. It’s now a major force in golf’s evolution, creating space for new formats and innovation.
Concepts like TGL, the indoor simulator league launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, are redefining how the game is played and consumed. Designed to attract new and casual fans, TGL features live audiences, advanced visuals, and primetime broadcasts to deliver a more immersive experience.
Women’s Golf on the Rise
Women’s golf is becoming a major force behind the sport’s growth and evolution.
In 2024, the National Golf Foundation reported that 28% of on-course golfers in the United States were women, marking the highest share ever recorded. Women and girls also accounted for 60% of the overall growth in participation since 2019. That same year, 7 million women and girls played golf, the most since 2006.
This surge is fueled by efforts to build community and expand access. Groups like Women Who Golf now span multiple countries, while programs like LPGA and USGA Girls Golf help to make the game more welcoming and accessible.
With greater visibility for female professionals, rising prize money, and new formats tailored to women, golf is finally for the girls.
New Screens, New Fans
Golf has also entered the streaming world, netting new audiences in the process. Netflix’s Full Swing, which launched in February 2023, quickly ranked in the platform’s global Top 10. 63% of Full Swing viewers tuned into PGA Tour coverage within two months of the show’s debut, and 11% were new viewers.
Furthermore, social media is now one of golf’s biggest stages. Influencers like Roger Steele reach millions of views each month and rising stars like Sydney Grimes bring innovative and entertaining content to the table.
This shift reflects a broader trend in how younger audiences engage with sports, with Gen Z fans more likely to watch highlights or interact on social media than to view full live matches. Such behavior underscores the growing influence of Gen Z preferences in shaping the modern sports economy.
The Rise of Disruption
Few things have shaken up the golf world like LIV Golf. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf burst onto the scene in June 2022 with over $5 billion in investment to date, quickly attracting top talent with massive guaranteed contracts. The roster featured stars such as Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka.
The move triggered intense media coverage and conflict with the PGA Tour, leading to merger talks in 2023 that ultimately stalled. While its funding sparked controversy, LIV’s impact is clear: it’s brought in younger, more global fans and pushed the sport toward a faster, flashier, more entertainment-driven model.
What Can We Expect?
Golf is changing faster than ever before. With the global golf simulator market reaching $1.74 billion in 2025 and projected to nearly double by 2033, technology is opening the door to a whole new generation of players.
As rising stars like Sydney Grimes gain visibility and new leagues continue to build momentum, golf is steadily moving beyond its traditional roots.
Looking ahead, we can expect even more creativity, deeper engagement from younger audiences, and continued growth in off-course experiences through simulators and other types of immersive digital technology.
