England Golf CEO talks record growth, future stars and the nation's hope at The Masters

England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson has told GolfMagic the 'golf boom' the nation experienced during the Covid lockdown five years ago is still very much alive as we enter the second quarter of 2025.

Tomlinson knows just about everything there is to know about our great sport with his career spanning four decades in the golf industry.

The former Vice President and Managing Director of Acushnet Europe first assumed the role as England Golf CEO three months before the start of the coronarivus pandemic in January 2020.

Back then, Tomlinson admits he initially feared for a number of golf clubs in England.

But it soon became apparent that if there was one positive to come out of the lockdown then it was that golf was thriving across the nation.

Scroll down to watch our exclusive interview with England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson...

While the 'golf boom' might not be quite so thundering as it was five years ago this month, Tomlinson does consider the game is still proving just as popular across the board. 

"Golf's popularity is still really, really good," Tomlinson told GolfMagic Editor Andy Roberts in a sit-down interview at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, home of England Golf.

"There was definitely a boom after Covid, there's no two ways about it.

"I do remember those times going into that first lockdown and being really concerned about so many golf clubs, but literally by the end of that first lockdown coming out and there were golf clubs that were filling up and filling up, and it hasn't stopped.

"The best thing is we have golf clubs that are full and more people than ever who just want to go to facilities, driving ranges, short courses, simulator golf, lots of people who want to play as an independent golfer."

Tomlinson's latest comments about golf's popularity come directly off the back of a record year of figures at England Golf HQ.

Two notable England Golf records for 2024 included more than 10 million scores being submitted via the World Handicap System and club membership numbers soaring to 730,000.

Tomlinson reflected on the latest numbers and spoke more to us about England Golf's popular platforms iGolf and iPlay, explaining exactly why GolfMagic Readers might want to get involved with them if they haven't already done so in 2025.

Other subjects that came up during our 18-minute interview with Tomlinson, which you can watch in full below, included the governing body's impact of Respect in Golf, the introduction of Golf Fore Her and being nominated for two upcoming awards, one of which is against Liverpool Fooball Club.

GolfMagic also learned more about Tomlinson's own individual career and what he loves most about his job in the hotseat as England Golf CEO.

Before we let Tomlinson leave us, we asked him to give us an update on a number of future England Golf stars who could end up following in the footsteps of current English heroes Charley Hull and Tommy Fleetwood.

Speaking of Fleetwood, the England Golf CEO is extremely hot on his chances of slipping on the famous green jacket at The Masters.

Notable topics of discussion in our interview with Jeremy Tomlinson:

• coming off a record year and expectations for 2025
• growth of platforms such as iGolf and iPlay
• whether there's still a 'golf boom' in 2025?
• impact of Respect in Golf and how England Golf is changing long held perceptions of the sport
• being nominated for two upcoming awards, one of which is against Liverpool F.C.
• career background, what he loves most about his job and proudest moments
• future England Golf stars and the recent success of Lottie Woad 
• attending The Masters and England's best chance for the green jacket

Watch our full video interview with England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson here: