The growing popularity of golf in Canada

Diving into the growing popularity of golf in Canada.
What comes to mind when you hear about Canada’s sporting sector? Hockey, right? But did you know that golf has also taken the country by storm recently? In fact, some reports show that golfing is among the most popular recreational activity in the country. As if that is not enough, Canada ranks fourth when it comes to countries with the largest number of courses, according to the National Golf Foundation.
We cannot ignore the role technology has played in enhancing the appeal of this sport. That includes how the game is played and experienced. For instance, fans can now access expert insights on tournaments with just a simple touch of a button from any place at any time. This makes the experience even more engaging, attracting more fans.

The popularity of golf in Canada
As we hinted earlier, more Canadians continue to appreciate golf. Imagine that almost a decade ago, of the more than 2000 public and private facilities, 90% were open to the public compared to 75% in the US. And the participation rate was, in fact, double that of the United States. That is why it is not surprising at all that the sector contributed $23.2 billion to Canada’s GDP, according to a report by Golf Course Industry.

In labor income alone, golf-related activities resulted in about $14.2 billion, with nearly six million Canadians playing golf in 2023. On top of that, about 83% said they loved the sport because of the social benefits it offered. That’s not all – just recently, about 137,000 fans flocked into the RBC Canadian Open over four days, with about 60,000 traveling for more than 40km.

These statistics are only a testament to the fact that more Canadians are opening up to Golf. When it comes to diversity, things have also not remained the same. Out of the almost six million golfers, Canadagolfs.ca believes 37% are students. Women have also been showing a growing preference for this game. According to Golf Course Industry, there was a 6% increase in the number of active women golfers in 2023.

Initiatives by Golf Canada
According to Golf Canada, there has never been a better year for gold than 2023. They actually witnessed more than ten million scores posted on their app. However, with all these statistics, one concern still remains—the diminishing opportunities for junior golfers. In response, Golf Canada launched the First Tee—Canada program to help advance golf participation among the youth.

Responding to Foodbuy, Adam Hunter, Director of Grow the Game at Golf Canada, said that they intended to provide an affordable and accessible entrance to allow more kids to participate. There are now about six regional chapters where those interested in golf can easily join. And the good thing is that in most cases—about 70 to 75%—children will not have to pay to participate at green grass facilities, schools or community centers.

Another affordable program is the Youth on Course program, where your child can play golf for as low as $5 or even less. Once they have a Golf Canada or Golf Ontario membership, they can easily access the Youth on Course. With about 58,000 kids participating in 2023 alone, this program will likely encourage more young people to play golf.

Many destinations for golf lovers
Another factor contributing to the popularity of golf in Canada is the extensive number of golf courses. Let's look at some of the popular ones.

Priddis Green
About a 30-minute drive from Calgary is the Priddis Green, which is one of the best 36-hole facilities in Canada. The first five holes are just near the clubhouse before the dramatic par 4, 6th. Since it was opened, it has hosted major tournaments like the CP Women's Open 2016 and is convenient if you want an environment away from the noise of the city.

Crownsnest Pass
Golf in Alberta is not a thing of yesterday. Since the 1920s, different people have been enjoying the sport until the mid-1990s when there was an overhaul by Les Furber. Fast forwarding to 2018, there was a serious need to add more holes to this golf course.
Although the initial layout was maintained, the holes near Highway 3 were removed so that we could have more plays alongside the mountain. The 13th hole is still intact and is actually among the best in West Canada.

Final words
Canada is one of those countries where golf is becoming popular. In fact, the participation rate doubled that of the US at one point. Women and students have also been showing interest, making the game more diverse.
And just recently, Golf Canada has been implementing initiatives to encourage more children to participate in the sport. As if that is not enough, the country has more than enough courses so that you can easily access the game if you are interested. All these factors are evidence enough that the Canadian golf landscape will continue to increase as more citizens become interested.


Article Author: T. S. Singh, Freelance Writer. Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not to Where2Golf.com, its writers or editors. The author is speaking solely for himself, not for the company or as a formal representative of the company.