Fairways busier than ever
England Golf has smashed its own records after more than 1.6 million rounds were logged on the World Handicap System™ in August. The tally overtakes last year’s 1.569 million and even beats May’s previous high of 1.597 million. Courses up and down the country have felt the impact as golfers have turned out in huge numbers. The surge reflects the perfect storm of warm weather, free time and enthusiasm for the game.
With blue skies and dry fairways across much of the country, golf clubs have seen a surge in activity. Players have flocked to courses in record numbers, with 53 per cent of scores coming from competitions. The remaining 47 per cent have been submitted through general play, highlighting the changing nature of how golf is enjoyed. Golf is booming and August is now the clearest evidence yet of this new momentum.
A year of record-breaking golf
The hot streak looks set to continue as England Golf reports even more positive news. Already 8.961 million rounds have been submitted in 2025’s first eight months. At this pace, last year’s total of 10.214 million will be comfortably beaten by December. Golfers are not just playing more, they are also making their efforts count through official score submissions.
Officials say the digital side of the game has helped fuel the growth, with the MyEG app now central to how golfers engage with the World Handicap System™. More and more players are choosing to track their rounds officially, reflecting a shift in how the sport is played and enjoyed. By embracing technology, golf has widened its appeal and accessibility. What was once seen as a traditional pastime is now part of the digital era.
Grassroots programmes taking off
It is not just handicaps making headlines as England Golf shines a light on its development work. The iGolf scheme, which offers a digital membership for non-club players, has now passed 70,000 subscribers. Meanwhile iPlay, designed to attract beginners and lapsed golfers, has already signed up over 11,000 users. These figures suggest golf is increasingly welcoming to players at all stages of their journey.
These initiatives are seen as crucial in keeping golf open and welcoming. They offer newcomers a route into the sport without the immediate commitment of club membership. With more than 20,000 iGolfers moving into clubs since the scheme’s launch, the pathway appears to be working. Golf is no longer closed off, but actively reaching out to new audiences.
Golf as a wellbeing boost
The surge in general play scores also highlights a shift in how people are using the game. Almost half of August’s submissions came from solo rounds or casual play. Golf is now as much about wellbeing as it is about competition. For many, time on the fairways has become an essential part of their lifestyle.
Industry experts say the sport is becoming a go-to escape, combining exercise, mental focus and time outdoors. Logging a handicap score is often secondary to the benefits of walking the course. The sport is increasingly framed as a way to ease stress and boost fitness. England Golf believes this lifestyle shift is one reason numbers keep breaking records.
A sport for everyone
Claire Hodgson, Head of iGolf, said the summer had been transformative. She explained that sunshine had encouraged more and more players onto the course. England Golf’s pathway for golfers has created impressive numbers for both iPlay and iGolf. More than 20,000 iGolfers have transitioned into club membership since the scheme’s launch.
She added that World Handicap System™ numbers continue to grow and break records. Golfers are embracing the digital capabilities of the MyEG app in record numbers. England Golf sees this as proof that the game is adapting to the modern era. The organisation is determined to keep golf inclusive and accessible for everyone.
The rise of everyday golfers
What is striking is how many scores are coming from general play rather than organised events. Nearly half of all August submissions were casual rounds logged outside competition. It suggests that everyday golfers are engaging with the sport in a new way. This change shows golf is becoming more approachable for all.
Observers say the sport is shedding its stuffy image. By making handicaps accessible and digital, more players are willing to take part. Serious tracking is now possible at every level, not just for elite competitions. This democratisation of handicaps is driving more people to feel part of the game.
Looking ahead
With sunshine, smartphones and new schemes driving momentum, England Golf believes the boom is only just beginning. Hodgson said the organisation will continue to champion golf as inclusive and accessible to all. Everyone should feel the sport is for them and open to their ambitions. That message is central to England Golf’s strategy for growth.
If the numbers keep climbing, 2025 could be remembered as the year golf reclaimed its place as a booming pastime. Record submissions, thriving grassroots schemes and a wellbeing movement are fuelling the surge. The sport is gaining momentum both on and off the course. For England Golf, the fairways have never looked so full of promise.
