US Teenage Golfers Increase by Over 900,000 After COVID-19... Korea Also Shows Rising Trend

US Golf Foundation, 36% Increase Since COVID-19
Domestic Demand Up 1%... Youth Interest Revives

In the United States, the world's largest golf market, the participation rate of junior golfers has increased by nearly 40% over the three years since the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid growth of teenage golf players, who represent the future growth engine, is a positive factor for the sport's revitalization. Although still small in scale, the proportion of teenagers among the total golf population in South Korea is gradually increasing.

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According to data compiled by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) on the 5th, the number of junior golfers aged 6 to 17 who played field golf in the U.S. last year increased by about 900,000 compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak. This represents a 36% increase, making it the fastest-growing age group across all age ranges. The NGF estimates that the junior golf population in the U.S. exceeds 3.4 million, the highest since 2006.

The NGF explained that junior golfers account for about 13% of all field golfers in the U.S. Over the three years since the COVID-19 outbreak, golf participation rates among people of color (17%) and women (15%) also increased by 17% and 15%, respectively, but the growth rate among juniors was more than twice as high. Participation rates of junior golfers in off-course activities, including screen golf, have shown an even more pronounced upward trend. More than 25% of participants in this sector are under 18 years old.

The NGF analyzed that "the ability to enjoy golf in a fun and safe environment at venues like Topgolf, which combine entertainment elements such as games and parties, has attracted the interest of young people." The average age of golfers participating in off-course activities, including indoor golf such as screen golf, among juniors and the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) is 30 years old, which is 15 years younger than the average age of 45 for golfers who only play field golf.

In South Korea, although still minimal, the teenage golf population has been increasing since COVID-19. According to the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee, the number of golf players aged 16 and under (including school teams and clubs) increased from 603 in 2020 to 681 in 2021, and 780 in 2022. The number of registered players in the Korea Middle and High School Golf Federation had been declining since 2010 when it was 2,270, but rose again from 1,182 in 2019 to 1,424 last year. According to a national sports survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism targeting 9,000 people aged 10 and older, the percentage of teenagers who experienced golf in the past year in the field of recreational sports slightly increased from 0.5% in 2021 to 1.5% last year.

It is not uncommon to see teenage golfers booking tee times through reservation platforms and going out on the course. According to an analysis by Kakao VX of users who booked golf courses through its platform, teenagers accounted for 1.35% of golfers last year. An industry official said, "It is encouraging that the participation rate of juniors, who represent potential demand for the future growth of golf, is gradually increasing."