Golf is one of the most popular sports world-wide. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on golf clubs and accessories. But how many golf clubs are actually sold each year? It would be beneficial to know this statistic, as it can give one a general idea of the golf market each year and the various trends that occur in the sport.
To figure this out, I examined the official USGA statistics from 2012-2017 regarding the sale of golf clubs. I then compared these figures to the sport’s growth rate between 2011-2017, as well as its participation rate. Finally, I analyzed the data to determine the size of the potential US market for golf clubs each year.
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The Growth Of Golf
The participation and consumption of golf increased markedly between 2011 and 2017. This is reflected in the expansion of the sport from 2.9 million participants to 4.2 million participants and from $12.7 billion to $17.4 billion in USGA revenue, respectively.
Additionally, the sale of golf clubs increased by 12% annually between 2011 and 2017, from 7.4 million units to 9.3 million units. Given this, it is clear that interest in golf is increasing worldwide, particularly in the United States where the sport is popularized.
Is Golf A Worthwhile Investment?
The data demonstrates that the growth in sales of golf clubs between 2011 and 2017 was largely driven by increased demand for new and used clubs. The 2012 edition of the USGA Statistic had a particular distinction, as it marked the first time in history that the sale of used golf clubs increased over the sale of new clubs. This was largely due to a decrease in the cost of new clubs coupled with an increase in the supply of used clubs.
The increase in the popularity of the sport can also be attributed to increased television coverage and digital media consumption. In 2017, there were 1.74 billion video views on YouTube regarding golf โ that’s nearly twice as many views as there were in 2011.
This is further evidenced by the fact that between 2011 and 2017, the number of adults playing golf in the U.S. increased from 20.3 million to 24 million, while the number of golfers aged 18-24 increased from 6.2 million to 8.3 million. The popularity of golf among young adults demonstrates how the game is finding its way into the mainstream.
How Many Golfers Should I Expect To See At A Charity Golf Tournament?
A golf tournament is essentially a single-elimination competition, which means that some players will advance to the next round while others will be eliminated. The number of players that you might expect to see at a golf tournament is directly related to the number of rounds that are played. For example, if three rounds of golf are played, then you might see three, two, or one player per round. However, at a PGA Championship, which is an annual golf tournament that features the best players in the world, up to 20 players might show up.
The Size Of The Potential US Market
While the demand for golf has increased, the number of golfers in the U.S remains relatively stable. This means that there is always the potential for more people to play golf, and thus increase the size of the market. If one were to guess how many golfers would be in the U.S. in 2025, one could probably come up with a fairly accurate number. After all, there are currently 24 million golfers in the country, which means that there are 4 million potential new golfers who could be playing the sport in the next few years. While this may not seem like a large number, bear in mind that it represents a 40% increase from the number of golfers in the U.S. in 2011. This is largely due to the fact that between 2011 and 2025, the population of the U.S. increased by 10 million people. So, if one were to guess what the market for golf clubs in 2025 would look like, one could probably come up with a pretty good idea.
Conclusion
Overall, it is safe to say that the future of golf looks pretty good. The demand for the sport continues to increase, particularly among younger generations. With 24 million golfers in the country, there is certainly the potential for the sport to grow even more in the coming years. Additionally, the popularity of golf among younger generations means that there is also the potential for more people to play the sport, and thus increase the size of the market. All of this points to an improved outlook for the game. So if you’re looking for an investment opportunity, it might be worth considering golf clubs.