Golfing Boom Down Under: The Golf Craze Sweeping Australia
By NCG
Few nations are more passionate about their sport than Australia, with the latest action sweeping the entire nation throughout the season.
Sports such as cricket, rugby, and Aussie Rules have dominated the calendar in Australia throughout history, but one of the sports that is enjoying a resurgence Down Under is golf.
This increase in interest is reflected not only on the greens but also in digital entertainment, where golf-themed online slots have become highly popular at Australian online casinos.
Golf is already one of the most exciting to watch around the rest of the world, but what factors are contributing to this rise in the golfing boom down under?
Participation On The Rise
The latest stats collected by Golf Australia have shown that the boom in the sport is continuing, with the 2021/22 report showing that over 2.7 million people were actively playing golf in the country, with a growing number in each territory based on the previous numbers collected.
The report also found that 1.5 million players were actively playing at one of Australia’s many courses, with a further 1.2 million players involved in off-course golfing events such as simulators and driving ranges.
In the report, it was also interesting to note that the number of club memberships had also increased based on the previous records set. There has been a 2.7% growth in players joining clubs, which illustrates an overall growth of 6.4%. Social memberships were also on the rise over the 12-month period, with an 8.9% increase found in the stats.
Younger Golfers Emerging
The numbers in the report were always going to be eye-watering, as it was the second-largest membership increase since Golf Australia began collecting data back in the 1970s.
It was particularly encouraging to see groups traditionally underrepresented in the sport showing significant growth. Notably, there was an astonishing 84% increase in female participation, highlighting a shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity within the sport.
Meanwhile, it was also proving a popular sport with younger players, with a 13% increase in the stats. It was also found that there was a 25% increase in the younger female players involved in the sport. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly had an impact on the growth within the sport, with the report finding that there was a 33% increase in players identifying as golfers based on the pre-pandemic.
Notable Aussie Players Making Waves
One of the biggest reasons for the success that is currently being enjoyed by the sport could be the fact that Australian players are making waves on the world tours. Cameron Smith is widely considered one of the best Australian players in the world, but he made negative headlines when opting to leave the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf setup.
Smith is a major champion in his own right, having landed the Open in 2022. Furthermore, he won five further tournaments on the PGA Tour, including the Players Championship in 2022. The Australian has claimed victories in 12 major tournaments throughout his career, including three wins on the LIV Golf League circuit since the start of 2022.
Adam Scott continues to be one of the most recognizable Australian golfers in the world, having played on the PGA Tour and European Tour since turning professional in 2000. He made history in 2013 by becoming the first Australian player to win the Masters, which remains his only major success. However, overall, he has won 32 professional events throughout his career.
A star worth watching in 2024 looks set to be Min Woo Lee. The 25-year-old plays on both the PGA and European Tours and has already won four professional events. He has recorded notable victories throughout his career to date, including the ISPS Handa Vic Open and the Scottish Open.
Conclusion
The golf boom in Australia looks set to continue for years to come based on the stats recorded during the latest survey. The success Australian players are enjoying on the global stage certainly ensures that all eyes are on the sport Down Under, and that will only inspire younger players to follow their dreams in the hope of joining the PGA Tour. It is hard to argue that the future of golf is anything other than bright in Australia.
