Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you (2024)

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By: Josh Berhow

Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you (1)

How much do you spend on golf equipment annually? Your answer may be different than your buddy, or likely even different than it was five years ago, or five years from now. Either way, we wanted to figure out.

GOLF recently enlisted a company that surveyed 2,817 random golfers in October and November of 2020. The goal? To understand golfers’ spending habits. We asked 23 spending-related questions on things like apparel, equipment, greens fees, golf travel and more. Now, the results are in (which you’ll see in full on GOLF.com on Wednesday). But for now, let’s talk about some equipment takeaways.

When asked how much they spend on golf equipment annually, the majority (43.8%) said between $500-$1,000. That barely beat out a group of 40.1% that said it spends less than $500 a year. Only 13.4% said between $1,000-$2,000, and just 2.7% said more than $2,000.

When it comes to golf equipment, golf balls are the things most often purchased, while big splurges are spent on things like drivers or irons. When asked how much they feel comfortable spending on new golf balls, the most common range was $30-$40. Of those who responded, 38.9% said $30, while 37.4% said $40. The smallest percentage was for $50 and above, which was 11%.

The answer regarding the most golfers have ever spent on a single club was a toss up too. Of those surveyed, 39.9% said between $250-$400, while 39.4% said more than $400.

Lastly, asked how often they generally buy a new driver, 55.5% said typically every five years, while 40.3% said every two years.

Looking for more spending habits on equipment, instruction, travel and more? Make sure to check out the full survey results come Wednesday.

Ready to overhaul your game? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate companyTrueSpecGolf.

Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you (2)

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Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you (3)

Josh Berhow

Golf.com Editor

Josh Berhow is the managing editor at GOLF.com. The Minnesota native graduated with a journalism degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato. You can reach him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.

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Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you (2024)

FAQs

Survey: How much golfers spend on equipment annually, according to you? ›

When asked how much they spend on golf equipment annually, the majority (43.8%) said between $500-$1,000. That barely beat out a group of 40.1% that said it spends less than $500 a year. Only 13.4% said between $1,000-$2,000, and just 2.7% said more than $2,000.

Is golf a growing or dying sport? ›

However, the popularity of golf was on the decline in the new millennium; between 2003 and 2018, golf saw a decline of over 6.8 million players and more than 1,200 course closures. Hopes for a turnaround in the golfing industry were shattered in March of 2020 with the COVID-19 global pandemic.

What percentage of golfers are female? ›

28.4% of golfers are women and 71.6% of golfers are men.

How many people golf in the US? ›

Participants in golf in the U.S. from 2007 to 2022

In 2022, the number of people participating in golf in the United States reached 25.6 million, representing a slight increase on the previous year. It also represented the highest on-course participation in more than a decade.

How many rounds of golf are played each year? ›

In 2020, 502 million rounds of golf were played in the United States. This is a 14% increase from the previous year when 441 million rounds of golf were played.

Is golf the most wasteful sport? ›

The worst sports for the environment include skydiving (massive relative carbon footprint), golf (water consumption and chemicals needed), auto-racing and other motor-vehicle sports (absolute carbon emissions), and motorized water-sports (fuel consumption and biosphere interruption).

Is golf really the hardest sport? ›

Golf can be a very difficult sport; in fact, most people will admit to the fact that golf is the hardest sport there is. If you have never played golf, the concept of how difficult golf is can be a hard one to grasp. Only a very small percentage of players will ever go on to being great players or a professional.

How many golfers can break 80? ›

What is the percentage of golfers that break 80? Only about 2 percent of golfers are able to break 80. Breaking 80 is something that requires very few mistakes, incredible ball striking, and the ability to play well under pressure.

What is the average girl golf score? ›

According to studies, the average golf score for an adult male that plays regularly is between 93 and 96, while the average score for an adult female is about 108.

What handicap is a female golfer? ›

Average golf handicap for women: 27.5

Less than 30% of male golfers have a single digit handicap (less than 10) The most common handicap range for male golfers is between 13.0 and 13.9 for men and between 27.0-27.9 for female golfer.

How many golfers on a course in a day? ›

There's a maximum of approximately 300 players per day on an 18-hole course, depending on daylight.

What percent of the PGA Tour is white? ›

Golf Professional Statistics By Race

The most common ethnicity among golf professionals is White, which makes up 66.2% of all golf professionals.

How many people break 90 in golf? ›

Does the average golfers break 90? Although 14% of golfers do not break 100, this doesn't mean that you cannot be successful at the sport. 2. 49% of golfers are able to hit a ball over 90 regularly – so if you can consistently get your shot in the air, you're on your way to success.

How many rounds of golf has Tiger Woods played in his life? ›

Tiger has played 1,215 rounds of PGA Tour golf.

How many golfers shoot their age? ›

“I'm getting up in age but I'm still hanging in there,” said Saulnier, who also has two holes-in-one. The percentage of golfers who shoot their age on golf courses that are at least 6,000 yards is 0000089%, or less than 9 per million.

How many old people play golf? ›

Golf is one of the most popular sports among older Americans, with 5.3 million people age 65 and over playing in 2019.

Do mostly rich people play golf? ›

It is often referred to as a “Rich Man's Sport” and has long been seen as a pastime for only the elite. Golf is indeed played by many wealthy people. And the costs associated with playing can get rather expensive. However, the game can be played by the masses and even on a budget.

Is golf the hardest mental sport? ›

Golf is one of the most mentally challenging sports in the world. Being able to have the mental endurance to stay calm and focused under pressure is one of the greatest skills a golfer can have.

What is the number 1 hardest sport? ›

According to Sports Virsa, the top 10 hardest sports in the world to play in 2022 are as follows: Boxing (hardest), American football, mixed martial arts, ice hockey, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, and water polo.

What is the hardest sport to go pro in? ›

The 5 Hardest Sports to Make it to the Pros In (Statistically)
  • Ice Hockey. If you enjoy the majesty of gliding over the ice and the thrill of smashing into other adults, you might want to pursue a career in hockey. ...
  • Baseball. ...
  • Soccer. ...
  • Basketball.

Is golf an expensive sport to play? ›

Golf is undoubtedly an expensive sport to play. With the costs of membership fees, green fees, golf clubs, golf balls, attire, and even coaching, it can feel like you're spending a fortune. Of course, there are ways to play on a budget, such as not spending on attire or not having to hire a mentor.

Has anyone ever birdied all 18 holes? ›

But no one is ever going to birdie 18 holes. In the perfect game you reach the green in the fewest possible number of strokes and hole your first putt. If you can reach the green in two strokes, then the second shot should go in the cup. It will never be played.

What's my handicap if I shoot 85? ›

If you shoot between 70 and 75, your handicap will be between 1 and 2. If you shoot between 76 and 80, your handicap will be between 3 and 5. If you shoot between 81 and 85, your handicap will be between 6 and 9. If you shoot between 86 and 91, your handicap will be between 10 and 13.

What is a scratch golfer? ›

What playing off scratch means is that player has a handicap of 0 (or better). If your handicap is 15, you expect to be about 15 over every time you play; a scratch player expects to play level par or better whenever they play.

What is a decent golf handicap? ›

What is a good golf handicap? A good golf handicap is ten or less. With a handicap index of ten or less, you will generally shoot somewhere around 82. Shooing in the low 80s is better than average but certainly not good enough to be considered a scratch player.

What is a bad golf score called? ›

Bogey - A "Bogey" is when a golfer scores one stroke OVER par. While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, new and less skilled golfers are often fine with only needing one more stroke than par to complete a hole. If you got a bogey on every hole of a par-72 course, you'd shoot a 90.

How far can a female golfer hit? ›

Distance can come down to a math formula, greatly impacted by your swing speed. Slower swing speed women golfers may drive the golf ball 125 yards, while faster swing speed women golfers can get over 200 yards. The average swing speed woman golfer hits a driver about 150 yards.

What is my womens handicap if I shot an 85? ›

If you shoot a 85, you can say that your handicap is an 13. You are a mid handicap golfer, which is an average handicap (more golfers fall into this group than any other).

What is a 28 handicap golfer? ›

If you shoot around 100 for 18 holes, your handicap is roughly a 28 (100-72 = 28).

Can a man have a 36 handicap? ›

Highest Handicap Index for Men

The highest handicap index a male golfer can have in the USGA Handicap System is 36.4. Repeat: 36.4 is the maximum index for men. (Or, for a 9-hole handicap index, 18.2 is the maximum for men.)

How many balls does a PGA player hit a day? ›

On average, professional golfers hit around 500 balls per day when they're not playing a tournament. The majority of these balls are hit either around the green or on the course, while only 50-100 would be hit at the driving range.

How many hours a day do golfers practice? ›

In a day, the average tour pro spends about three to four hours concentrating on the full swing and an equal amount of time on the short-game.

How many hours do pro golfers practice? ›

In our opinion and based on our extensive experience and empirical evidence you need to invest a minimum of 1,728 hours per year to give yourself the best chance possible of becoming a successful professional golfer. This works out at least 6 hours of practice per day for 6 days per week for 48 weeks per year.

How many PGA Tour players are millionaires? ›

As for the number of golfers who have earned at least $1 million in PGA Tour events during their careers, well that number is now at 556 and counting.

Does anyone on the PGA Tour use a colored ball? ›

Do Any Pros Use Colored Golf Balls? Yes! In fact, some of the most successful professional players in the game have started to use colored balls during tournaments. Perhaps the most famous example is Bubba Watson, who has become renowned for using bright pink golf balls with his pink drivers.

How many PGA Tour cards are issued? ›

Winners of the Masters Tournament. For this current season, be sure to check out: PGA Tour: Tournament Prize Money Payout List For 2022-23. In total 128 players are granted Tour Cards, which enables them to participate in all Players Championships and European Tour Qualifiers.

What does the 90-degree rule in golf? ›

The 90-Degree Rule

Under this rule, carts are allowed on the fairway, but they must maintain a 90-degree angle from the cart path. You must take the cart path to a spot that is even with your ball, make a right angle turn and drive straight toward the ball. This rule may be in effect for all or some holes.

What is a 90 foot rule in golf? ›

So almost all courses provide a cart path, situated along side of the fairways. The 90-degree rule means that a golfer is supposed to drive their cart along the cart path until the cart has reached a point where a 90-degree turn would cause the cart to drive laterally across the fairway directly to the ball.

What is a 90 golfer? ›

To break 90 means that a golfer has shot below 90 for 18 holes, which is considered to be an excellent score. Golfers who regularly break 90 are considered to be very good players.

Is Jack Nicklaus a billionaire? ›

Jack Nicklaus Net Worth: $400 Million

Notable: The Golden Bear sets the standard by which all other golfers are measured. With his astonishing 18 majors (and 19 runner-up finishes), Nicklaus dominated golf for more than two decades.

How many hole in ones does Jack Nicklaus have? ›

So Nicklaus did not win any of the tournaments in which he aced, and only one of his 21 career aces happened in a major — none in a "regular" (meaning not senior) major. But Nicklaus did score holes-in-ones twice during practice rounds prior to major championships.

How many hole in ones has Tiger Woods made in his life? ›

Woods has hit a hole-in-one 20 times in the course of his lifetime, his first at the age of six. Three have come in PGA Tour competitions - at the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open, 1997 Phoenix Open, and 1998 Sprint International. Woods is the only professional golfer to win four majors in a row.

How far should a 70 year old man hit a golf ball? ›

Chart for 70-79 Year Olds
ClubMen (Distance in Yards)Women (Distance in Yards)
Driver180145
3 Wood150125
5 Wood145120
3 Hybrid140115
6 more rows
Feb 21, 2023

What is my handicap if I shoot 90? ›

The lower the number, the better the golfer. For example, if you typically shoot around 90 on par 72 golf courses, your golf handicap would be around 18.

How many times has Jack Nicklaus shot his age? ›

Jack Nicklaus shoots six strokes below his age.

Why do guys like golf so much? ›

It's fun and rewarding!

It can be a friendly competition against friends or with yourself. It challenges both your mind and body and allows you to look inward and work towards improvement. Whether you shoot a 72 or 144, there's nothing like spending a couple hours, or even an afternoon, out on the golf course.

What percentage of men play golf? ›

28.4% of golfers are women and 71.6% of golfers are men.

What is the most growing sport? ›

Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport.

Do people play golf anymore? ›

90 million people around the world played golf in 2020. There were 25 million players in the USA, 12 million in Japan, 6 million in Canada, 4 million in South Korea, and 2 million in Australia. 40.000 golf courses have been built in 210 countries.

Where does golf rank in sports popularity? ›

Top-10 List of the World's Most Popular Sports
rankSportEstimated Fans
6.Table Tennis850 Million
7.Baseball500 Million
8.Golf450 Million
=9Basketball400 Million
6 more rows

Is golf a profitable sport? ›

Modern golf is thought to have its origins in Scotland, where the first ever major tournament took place in 1860. Today, it is an industry worth billions, with the revenue of Callaway Golf - one of the leading manufacturers of golf equipment - exceeding three billion U.S. dollars in 2021.

What is the hardest sport to get in to? ›

Here are the top 5 hardest sports to make it pro in (statistically).
  • Ice Hockey. If you enjoy the majesty of gliding over the ice and the thrill of smashing into other adults, you might want to pursue a career in hockey. ...
  • Baseball. ...
  • Soccer. ...
  • Basketball.

What is the #1 sport in the world? ›

Soccer, also known as association football, is by far the most popular sport in the world, despite the fact that it may not be obvious in the United States. Soccer is the most popular sport in practically all of Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and Asia.

What is the #1 sport in America? ›

Football - America's Favorite Sport to Watch and Follow

According to Gallup.com, 37% of U.S. adults picked football as their favorite sport to watch. Football has been the favorite since 1972.

Why do so many old people play golf? ›

The rigors of trying to hit a tiny ball across a wide field give golfers an opportunity for physical exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and overall energy levels. Many older people feel that they are too old to start new hobbies, but it can be extremely beneficial for their physical and mental health.

Why did Tiger Woods stop playing golf? ›

Plantar fasciitis is the injury that caused Woods to miss the Hero World Challenge, a tournament he hosts, in December. It causes severe pain in the foot and heel. Woods has consistently been adamant that he will not appear in tournament golf using a buggy, which presumably would spare him discomfort.

Why do less people play golf? ›

There were 6.8 million fewer golfers in 2018 compared to 2003 — a loss of 22 percent. This resulted in a net reduction of 1,243 18-HEQ courses between 2005 and 2018. The decline is a function of the high cost of playing, difficulty of courses, and the game's incompatibility with contemporary lifestyles.

What is the least watched sport in America? ›

Hockey possesses all of these characteristics in its players. For various reasons, it hasn't clicked in America yet. Hockey is the most American sport that the American people won't sit down and watch.

What is the most profitable sport to play? ›

Highest Paying Sports in the World

Basketball is the highest paid sport in the world, with the average annual salary in the NBA in 2023 being nearly $10.5 million. This is more than double the average salary in the NFL, which sits in second place at $4.5 million.

What sport makes the most money in America? ›

Basketball is the highest-paying sport in America.

Basketball is not only the highest-paid sport in America but also the highest-paying sport in the entire world. NBA players make more money than any other professional athlete in any sport, league, or country.

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