Golf in Ireland is booming – but how can every club make the most of it?

In June 2025, Golf Ireland published its latest Economic Impact Report, prepared by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University with support from The R&A. The research analyses 2023 data and provides the most accurate picture to date of golf’s contribution to the island’s economy.

The results are striking: €717 million in direct Gross Value Added (GVA), 15,600 jobs supported, and €703 million in consumer spending, including €143 million in membership fees. Golf now accounts for 14% of all sport-related spending in Ireland and contributes €277.6 million in annual tax revenue. When indirect impacts are included, the total contribution exceeds €1.05 billion.

Using real financial data from 55 golf clubs and verified national surveys, the report confirms what many in the industry have sensed: golf is on an upward trajectory. But while the headline numbers are encouraging, club leaders know the reality on the ground can be more complex.

In this article, we summarise the key findings, explore what they mean for clubs, and share practical steps that committees and managers can take now. The goal is simple: turn national momentum into lasting local success.

Key Figures at a Glance

• Adult participation: 10% (561,522 people), up from 7.6% in 2014

• Club membership: 223,592 (excluding juniors), up 18% since 2014

• Consumer spending: €703 million, including €143 million in membership fees

• Economic output (GVA): €717 million (0.14% of GDP)

• Employment: 15,600 jobs (21% directly in clubs), or 11,800 FTE

• Tax revenue: €277.6 million (VAT, PAYE and corporation tax)

• Multiplier effect: For every €1 in direct GVA, €0.47 is generated in indirect impact

• Tourism impact: Irish Open attendance rose 13% in 2023; Women’s Irish Open up 20%

• Latent demand: 22% of non-golfers are interested in playing in future

These figures come from Golf Ireland’s 2025 Economic Impact Report, released in June and based on comprehensive data from across the Republic and Northern Ireland.

What the Report Tells Us – and What Clubs Should Do

1. Membership is Still the Bedrock

Membership fees are the largest component of consumer spending – €143 million in 2023 – accounting for 20% of all golf expenditure. That confirms what club managers already know: a healthy membership equals a healthy club.

With numbers rising to over 223,000, it’s clear that many clubs are thriving. But not all. The competition for members remains high, and the pressures on delivery standards are increasing. That’s why retention is as important as recruitment.

What to do:

• Audit your membership value proposition

• Invest in member experience, not just course quality

• Explore flexible membership types

• Monitor playing behaviour to spot at-risk members

• Focus on building a culture where members bring others with them

2. A Participation Boom – and a Big Pipeline

Golf is being played by 10% of Irish adults – up 32% since 2014 – but only one third are members. That leaves a large pool of casual or independent golfers who could be converted.

Even more striking: 22% of non-golfers say they’re interested in playing in future. That’s hundreds of thousands of potential players. Clubs that make golf accessible, friendly and flexible will have the best chance of engaging this audience.

What to do:

• Run beginner-friendly open days and Get into Golf programmes

• Offer trial rounds or starter packs for non-members

• Reduce social barriers – no dress code confusion, clear welcome messages

• Embrace shorter loops, group lessons, and non-traditional formats

3. Use the Economic Data as Leverage

The report puts hard numbers on something golf clubs have always known: their broader value. Golf delivers €277.6 million in taxes, yet receives just €16 million in grant support. That’s a 17-to-1 return to the public purse.

Golf clubs support local jobs, spend with local suppliers, host charity events, and provide social connection. With this report, clubs now have the evidence to back up those claims.

What to do:

• Include economic impact facts in grant applications

• Share job numbers and community value in member comms

• Show sponsors how supporting your club is supporting the wider economy

• Engage with local councillors and TDs armed with national data

4. Events and Tourism – Capitalise on the Moment

The 2023 Irish Open was up 13% in attendance; the KPMG Women’s Irish Open jumped 20%. And there’s more ahead: The Open returns to Royal Portrush in 2025, and the Ryder Cup lands at Adare Manor in 2027.

Even if your club isn’t near the host venues, you can benefit from the halo effect. Tourists are planning full golf trips, and local interest spikes with each headline event.

What to do:

• Get listed on golf tourism platforms and partner with local accommodation

• Offer clear visitor packages on your website (with pricing and availability)

• Run themed events (e.g. Ryder Cup week at the club)

• Think beyond ‘golf course’ and promote the full experience – what would make a travelling golfer say, ‘I’m glad I played there’?

Six Steps Clubs Should Take Right Now

1. Double down on member engagement: Celebrate members, survey them, invest in their experience, and act on their feedback.

2. Open your gates to newcomers: Be visible, welcoming and flexible. Remove perceived barriers to entry.

3. Tell your story: Highlight your impact, from staff employment and local spend to charity work and junior golf.

4. Ride the tourism wave: Ensure your club is accessible and attractive to visitors before, during and after major events.

5. Tap into support: Engage with Golf Ireland’s Club Support Programme. Use toolkits, request guidance, and share ideas with other clubs.

6. Plan for the next cycle: Build financial resilience. Don’t defer essential capital investment. Be ready for the next downturn, even if it’s years away.
   
   

Click Here To Download The Golf Ireland Economic Impact Report