Rounds of golf played fall for second straight quarter in Great Britain
Euro 2024 and rain to blame, cite Sporting Insights, as rounds of golf played per golf course in GB drop by 5% year-on-year in Q2.
Rain and England’s run in the European Championships conspired to cause a decrease in golf rounds played in Q2.
Total rounds played per golf course in Great Britain dropped by 5% year-on-year in Q2 2024, new research from Sporting Insights has revealed to GolfMagic this week.
Much of the damage was done during a wet April, which saw sizeable drops in rounds played in the Midlands, Scotland, and the North.
Smaller decline was visible in May, and there were green shoots in June, which was mostly drier and sunnier than usual. That helped offset lower than average temperatures.
Two of the four regions (the North and the South) displayed growth.
Pleasingly, the South region grew overall in Q2, up 2% vs the same months in 2023.
The news follows a drop in Q1 2024, and leaves the half year picture in negative figures.
National rounds are now down by 8% vs the first six months of 2023.
It should be noted, however, that the 5% year-on-year drop in Q2 is lower than the drop in the first three months of this year.
"We would obviously prefer to be reporting growth, but it’s just as important to observe and acknowledge the data when things aren’t so positive," said John Bushell, managing director of Sporting Insights.
"Weather and England’s Euros exploits will undoubtedly have had an impact on these figures.
"So, while this is a second straight quarter of negative figures, we still think that a lot of the underlying indicators for golf are encouraging.
"Consumer confidence is picking up. Global golf participation continues to rise, and there is so much energy among brands, retailers, venues and service providers to protect what’s best about the sport while also innovating and broadening access, energy that was evident at the recent Stephen Proctor Golf Industry Lunch at The Open.
"Over the last two weeks, we have been treated to captivating Olympic golf events, full of storylines, with many of the best players in the world fighting for an Olympic medal that meant so much to them."
Have you played more or less golf so far in 2024? Let us know over on the GolfMagic social media channels - @GolfMagic.
