How the Golf Boom After the Pandemic Changed the Game and Affected Players’ Lives

After the COVID-19 pandemic, golf became noticeably more popular. At first glance, the sports community should be nothing but pleased with such changes. But is the mass interest in golf equally beneficial for everyone? More and more players recall the times when getting onto the course was easier and cheaper, and the atmosphere of this intellectual game felt different. Why has golf today become more complicated, more expensive, and less accessible for both longtime and new players? Let’s try to uncover what lies behind the surface of the sports boom.

The Rise in Golf’s Popularity

Before 2020, golf was developing steadily, but its growth rate was not impressive. The number of sports enthusiasts and rounds played remained almost unchanged, and experts predicted a decline rather than a rise. However, the pandemic completely changed the situation: golf turned out to be one of the few leisure activities that remained available and safe in terms of social distancing.

During the lockdown, people felt a much greater need for social interaction, so they turned their attention to various entertainment activities such as streaming services, social networks, online games, or online casinos.

Statistics show that the popularity of such services at that time was extremely high, but as the pandemic subsided, their traffic began to decrease. To retain users, gaming services started lowering the price of monthly subscriptions, and online casinos even began offering bonuses without requiring any payment. Our authors read more about such promotions on the site with no deposit bonuses from the top of the search results. As a result, users quickly got used to this, and now the services have to maintain such conditions in order not to lose their audience.

According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2024, a record 532 million rounds were played worldwide. This is about 10% higher than the theoretical balance between demand and course capacity. The reasons were restrictions on mass events, the closure of fitness clubs and other sports venues, as well as the unique opportunity to play outdoors and socialize while maintaining distance.

Experts note: golf suddenly became trendy, with young people and families seeking new leisure formats. But such a sharp increase in the number of players quickly led to overloaded infrastructure, especially in popular regions and cities. According to some analysts, to meet current demand, at least a thousand new courses need to be built worldwide. But even this step does not guarantee a complete solution to the accessibility problem.

Overcrowded Golf Courses and New Players

In large cities and resort areas, golfers complain: booking a convenient tee time has become a real challenge. In Nashville, according to local enthusiasts, almost all courses are booked not only on weekends but even on weekdays. Players are forced to travel out of town or plan their games several weeks in advance, and a spontaneous round has become a rarity.

The influx of a large number of newcomers has changed the usual atmosphere on the courses. Experienced golfers notice that rounds are taking longer, as new players do not always have the technique, and their skill levels vary. There is a growing number of cases where single players are grouped together.

As experts note, the balance between demand and capacity has been sharply disrupted. Lines, crowding at the start, and forced waiting between holes—all this is becoming the new normal. Many recall the times when golf was associated with a measured pace, seclusion, and a special ritual.

What Players Are Paying for Now?

With increased demand, prices for all golf services have naturally risen. According to industry data, the average green fee per round has increased by about 29% compared to 2019. Even medium and small courses, which previously charged 2,500–3,000 rubles per game, now set prices around 5,000 rubles and higher.

For example, at one of the popular courses in Nashville, the price for a single round today reaches 7,200 rubles, although the quality of the course and facilities has not improved. Many players note that the condition of the turf has worsened, investments in infrastructure have become rare, and the cost of equipment rental continues to rise.

Dynamic pricing, where the cost depends on demand at a particular moment, makes budgeting even more difficult. Players’ expectations for service quality do not match reality: courses with worn-out turf, old practice balls at driving ranges, minimal investment in development. International experience confirms: such price increases are a typical market reaction to a sudden surge in interest when supply cannot keep up with demand.

Why Planning Has Become More Difficult?

Golf tourism enthusiasts have also felt these changes. A vivid example is the iconic Bandon Dunes resort in the USA. There is now a lottery system and advance booking 18–24 months before the game date. A similar situation is observed at many popular resorts; to get onto the course, you literally have to “catch” a booking window and be ready for it well in advance.

One Reddit user shared their experience: to book accommodation and tee times, they had to spend more than two hours on the phone to get on the waiting list almost two years before the trip. Innovations like lotteries make the process easier, but do not solve the problem—many players miss out on chances to play simply due to high competition and lack of flexibility.

Experts believe that this level of complexity will become a long-term trend if infrastructure is not expanded and resorts do not revise their allocation policies. In practice, this makes golf travel less accessible for enthusiasts and spontaneous decisions.

Who Is Playing Golf Now?

The new influx of players has brought not only fresh energy but also changes in golf culture. There are more and more situations where loud music is played on the courses, participants allow themselves to drink alcoholic beverages on the grounds, and requirements for appearance and behavior have noticeably relaxed.

Many golfers complain about violations of basic etiquette: divots on the greens are left unrepaired, the pace of play slows due to inexperience, and traditions of respect for other players are taking a back seat. According to participants and experts, oversight and enforcement of rules by management is practically absent: marshals are rarely on duty, and educational outreach is conducted irregularly.

Coaches and course owners are calling for the creation of educational programs for newcomers, the introduction of “starter” courses for first lessons, and active explanation of behavioral norms. Preserving the values of golf is not only a matter of prestige but also of the overall culture of the sport.

The Flip Side of the Boom: Pros and Cons for the Industry and Players

The mass interest in golf has led to noticeable positive changes: the industry has received additional funding, new jobs have opened up, and fresh ideas for engaging youth and families have emerged. Golf has become closer to a wider audience, and sports infrastructure has gained new prospects for development.

However, the rise in popularity also has a downside: higher prices, less enjoyment from the game, and the loss of the secluded, almost “family-like” atmosphere that longtime fans valued. Many players draw parallels with the stories of their favorite music bands: when they become too famous, the unique sense of closeness and freedom of choice disappears.

As experts note, restoring the previous balance is extremely difficult. Possible compromises include dividing courses by player skill level, developing new training formats, and expanding infrastructure to meet growing demand. But so far, there are few real solutions.

Has Golf Really Gotten Better After the Pandemic?

The global changes in the world of golf are hard to assess unambiguously. On the one hand, the sport has received new life, become part of mass culture, and given thousands of people the chance to discover a unique hobby. On the other hand, traditional values, accessibility, and tranquility have become things of the past.

Share your experience: has it become easier or, on the contrary, harder for you to organize a game? Do you feel a difference in atmosphere and prices? How can we maintain the balance of accessibility and tradition so that golf remains a beloved pastime for all generations?