Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam win at The Masters has fuelled a golf boom across the United Kingdom. April 2025 became the UK’s busiest golf month on record, according to figures released by England Golf. Over 1.4 million scores were submitted through the WHS system in a single month.
That’s a 95 percent rise compared to April 2024, previously one of the sport’s busiest spring periods. McIlroy’s iconic win inspired many casual golfers to return to the course after a long winter. The combination of the Rory effect and sunny conditions proved irresistible for thousands of players.
April 2024 had been much wetter, with heavy rain keeping many golfers at home. Tee times were cancelled across the country, and course conditions were poor throughout the month. By contrast, 2025 brought sunshine, firm fairways, and a renewed enthusiasm for playing.
iGolf Sees Record Breaking Growth
iGolf launched in 2021 to help non club members gain a Handicap Index and submit official scores. The digital platform has now grown to 60,000 users, with sign ups surging throughout April 2025. More golfers than ever before joined the app during the month of McIlroy’s historic Grand Slam.
“In July last year we had 3,989 people subscribe”, said Claire Hodgson, Head of iGolf. “That figure was completely smashed this April, proving how powerful external moments can be. Whether it was the weather or Rory, something clearly sparked the interest of casual players”.
Thousands of new users signed up to iGolf to track scores and progress their game. The platform offers flexibility for players not ready to commit to full membership. It also provides structure, making golf more inclusive and accessible for all.
England Golf Enjoys Strong Start to 2025
From January to April 2025, WHS score submissions rose 67 percent year on year. England Golf confirmed that 2024 had previously been the organisation’s most successful year on record. April 2025 has now raised the bar for national participation in the game.
Players are submitting more scores through MyEG and using the app more frequently. This increase points to a growing base of active and engaged golfers across the country. The national appetite for golf seems to be increasing with every passing month.
England Golf credits the success to modern tools, great weather, and pro tour inspiration. These factors combined to create a perfect moment for golf in the UK. The sport is thriving, with participation growing at every level.
iPlay and iGolf Power the Pathway
England Golf launched iPlay in late 2023 to support beginners and infrequent players across all facility types. iPlay is free and sits within the MyEG app, alongside the more advanced iGolf service. It tracks progress via an average score indicator and encourages repeat play.
Over 760 iPlay users have already upgraded to iGolf, according to England Golf. The step up shows growing interest in improving, tracking performance, and playing more golf. The apps together form a clear pathway from casual player to club member.
Claire Hodgson says the strategy is working across all stages of the game. We’ve created a pathway for everyone to get into golf, she said. The data proves more people are playing and progressing through that journey.
From Apps to Club Membership
Over 3,800 iGolfers have already joined clubs in 2025 alone, continuing the strong upward trend. That brings the total to more than 16,500 iGolfers who’ve taken out club membership since launch. It’s clear the digital strategy is not just growing numbers, but boosting traditional club golf too.
Players can start by tracking casual rounds and end up playing full competitions. That journey is now smoother than ever thanks to the tools within the MyEG app. Golf is becoming easier to access, especially for those new to the sport.
More players means more rounds, and more rounds means stronger club and facility revenue. This is a win for clubs, golfers, and the wider game alike. England Golf’s strategy appears to be delivering results across every key metric.
The Rory Effect and Perfect Timing
Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam was a historic moment that transcended the professional game. For thousands of amateur players, it was the spark to return or get started. His achievement put golf firmly back on the national radar in April.
England Golf and MyEG were ready to turn that excitement into real world engagement. They provided the apps, structure, and data players needed to track their game. Without those tools, the post Masters boost might have faded quickly.
Instead, players signed up, logged scores, and booked tee times in huge numbers. April 2025 became not just a headline, but a turning point. And possibly the beginning of golf’s most exciting new era in the UK.
