We have to give a huge shoutout to England Golf for bagging the Sports Innovation Award at the 2024 Sports Business Awards with their brilliant iGolf initiative.
This isn’t just another polite golf clap—it’s a well-deserved cheer for a program that’s taken golf beyond the clubhouse and made it a part of everyday life.
When iGolf first teed off in 2021, it had a clear mission: give independent golfers a fair chance to play the game.
Fast forward to 2024, and it’s transformed into something much larger—a genuine movement.
With over 54,000 enthusiasts now registered, iGolf has become the favourite spot for casual players looking to enjoy golf without the traditional club membership hassles.
And here’s the real magic: iGolf isn’t just a bridge; it’s a full-blown highway into club life.
More than 13,000 subscribers have made the leap from iGolf to full-fledged club membership. That’s not just growth—it’s a full-on recruitment drive for the sport we all love.
England Golf didn’t just sit back and celebrate their success. Nope, they stepped things up.
In 2023, they hosted the first-ever iGolf championship, and it was an absolute smash. So, what did they do in 2024? They went all out. They went even bigger.
They upped the ante with three regional events, all building up to an edge-of-your-seat final at the legendary National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa.
Talk about making dreams come true for independent golfers everywhere.
England Golf’s Chief Executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, summed it up perfectly:
“We’re amazingly proud to receive this award, it is testament to all the amazing hard work our team and volunteers have dedicated to this initiative over recent years.
“iGolf provides a wonderful opportunity for golfers, who couldn’t commit to club membership, to obtain a handicap and enjoy holding the unique measuring index for their sport.
“The reaction to iGolf has been tremendous, and we have seen our subscription numbers grow year on year, with 2024 being the best yet.
“As a governing body, we have an unwavering commitment to making our game as inclusive and accessible as possible, and iGolf is further evidence of that.”
Inclusive. Accessible. Fun. That’s what iGolf has become. It’s taken golf out of the old boys’ club and handed it to anyone with a love for the game and a set of clubs in their boot.
So here’s to iGolf—an initiative that’s not just growing the game but welcoming more people to it with open arms.
And, judging by the award they’ve just bagged, they’re doing a pretty darn good job.
