Let’s face it, 2024 wasn’t just a good year for English golf; it was one for the ages, England Golf scored big with record-breaking participation, highlighting the sport’s ever-growing popularity, launching score submissions into the stratosphere with a staggering 10,213,894 entries.
That’s 811,712 more than the year before, an impressive 8.63% rise that proves the nation’s love for golf is growing faster than a drive downwind.
From breezy 9-hole rounds after work to full-on 18-hole adventures over the weekend, golfers across the nation found countless ways to hit the course and dive into the game they love.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re a loud and clear signal that more people are grabbing their clubs and joining the fun.
While the overall rise in submissions is certainly noteworthy, the numbers break down in interesting ways when viewed by gender.
There were 754,009 more scores recorded by males, which corresponds to an 8.93% surge, and a further 57,703 scores from females, or a 5.98% jump.
Although the male segment increased at a slightly faster pace, both groups contributed to a broader trend of steady expansion.
One of the standout stats from 2024 is the surging popularity of 9-hole rounds. With 142,043 more scores submitted than the previous year—a jaw-dropping 17.89% jump—it’s clear that shorter rounds are hitting the sweet spot for many golfers.
The appeal? Convenience. A quick 9-hole game fits perfectly into busy schedules, giving players a chance to enjoy the sport without committing to a full day on the course.
The finding aligns with anecdotal reports of busier late-afternoon tee sheets and a growing acceptance of 9-hole golf as a worthwhile pastime, especially for those short on time.
It appears that general play scores, which allow users to submit rounds whenever permissible tee markers are in place, also helped fuel the overall surge.
A total of 539,428 more general play scores were logged in 2024, showing a 13.67% rise from the prior year.
The opportunity for golfers to track their progress in real-time through the official app has only heightened interest, as players can record scores on the go, monitor their handicaps, and measure improvements week by week.
England Golf Chief Operating Officer Richard Flint offered his perspective on these promising developments: “As a national governing body, we are doing all we can to try and drive participation in the game and one of our key focuses over the past 12 months has been inclusion and accessibility.
“The MyEG app caters for all, from iPlay, to iGolf, to club membership, and by providing more opportunities for people to take up the game and enter scores, it is paying dividends.
“The huge increase in 9-hole scores submitted shows that there is an appetite for shorter forms of the game, especially in that it helps cater for some people’s lifestyles.
“And with the enormous amount of general play scores being entered, it is demonstrating that people are getting to grips with the app and wanting to monitor their progress which is fantastic to see.
“We want to embrace people to golf in whatever way, whether that’s playing 18 holes, 9 holes, or even playing some adventure golf with friends and family. The MyEG app is there for everyone to experience and track their progress when playing different forms of golf.
“We simply wish to get as many people to taste the game, and then go as far as they wish.”
In addition to the uptick in 9-hole and general play rounds, competitions also maintained a solid presence.
Throughout 2024, 272,284 more competition scores were entered—a 4.99% rise—while 18-hole rounds recorded a 7.78% increase, adding 669,669 additional results to the ever-growing data pool.
All these figures reflect a collective push toward making golf more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of schedule constraints or experience levels.
With technology making score tracking easier and a strong emphasis on inclusion, the numbers tell a clear story: golf is becoming more accessible, and more people are grabbing their clubs to join in, track their progress, and enjoy the game in real time.
