It’s no secret that golf has been on the rise. Ever since it proved to be a safe recreational outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport has grown in participation and popularity. Now six years removed from that historical period, seasoned golfers and beginners alike are continuing to fill up tee sheets, purchase equipment and grow the game. The evidence of this boom lies within various golf industry reports, such as the USGA’s 2025 Golf Scorecard. The all-encompassing data report, released earlier this year, uses information from rounds posted under the World Handicap System™ (WHS) to highlight golf participation across the United States. And it’s safe to say that the data backs up the growth the industry has felt.
More than 3.68 million golfers with a Handicap Index® posted a record 82 million scores domestically last year. Locally, CDGA members posted more than 2.8 million scores for handicap purposes in 2025. As part of the USGA’s 2025 Golf Scorecard, the governing body compared the scores posted last year to data dating back to 2020. The following trends and stats emphasize the continued growth of the game:
Let’s Play 9 - For the fifth year in a row, a record number of 9-hole rounds were posted, with 14,998,824 in 2025. This represents an increase of 5% from 2024 and more than 46% from 2020.
A Growing Community - The number of golfers in the U.S. who maintained a Handicap Index in 2025 rose to 3.68 million in 2025, up 8.2% year over year and 46% since 2020.
Approachable Courses - As short courses become more popular across the country, so too does posting rounds played at them. More than 290,000 scores were posted at 470 short courses nationwide.
Just for Fun - Most people believe that maintaining a Handicap Index is only for high-level golfers playing in elite competitions. The data says otherwise, as 94.4% of the 82 million rounds posted last year were recreational in nature, with more than 75% of all golfers citing they were playing and posting purely for fun.
It’s important to remember that as a CDGA member, it’s never been easier to post your scores and keep track of your game. The current suite of mobile apps - My CDGA, Leaderboard and GHIN® - can be used separately or in conjunction with one another to provide a personalized experience on the course. All three apps include basic score-posting and stat-tracking capabilities, as well as unique platform-specific features. Visit the link below for more info on how to utilize these apps.