Golf’s future growth won’t be defined by the number of rounds played alone, but by the depth of passion players feel for the game. Recent NGF data reveals that while avid golfers have declined by 9% since 2019, the number of passionate golfers has surged by 19%, with “passionate casuals” — those who may play only a handful of rounds each year but remain deeply invested in golf culture — driving much of the sport’s momentum. For private clubs, this shift presents a clear opportunity: by expanding beyond tee sheets and embracing lifestyle programming, cultural engagement, and flexible membership models, clubs can capture this growing demographic and build more resilient, emotionally connected communities.
