3 Ways Gen Z and Millennials are modernizing golf

June 20, 2023

After the exciting US Open, one thing is clear: golf is booming. PGA Tour event ratings are way up. Participation is way up. And it’s trending. Why?

Gen Z and Millennials are embracing and modernizing the sport in 3 important ways:

More young women are playing golf

Junior programs including The First Tee and Drive, Chip and Putt, have introduced golf to millions of kids, from a broad spectrum of demographics. Over the last 3 years, 820,000 females have started playing on-course golf, versus 465,000 males. [DATA: National Golf Foundation, ngf.org]

Young people are making golf more social

Golf-themed entertainment venues have flourished, including Topgolf, X-Golf (indoor simulators), and PopStroke. In 2022, 41.1 million people played golf in the US, including 15.5. million who played only at off-course venues. [DATA: National Golf Foundation, ngf.org]

Young people are making golf more fashionable

Gen Z and Millennials have embraced the stealth wealth and country club aesthetic, taking golf apparel from the fairways to the streets. US golf apparel, footwear and accessories sales are expected to grow $1.27 billion by 2027, a 5.18% CAGR. [DATA: PR Newswire, March 16, 2023]