England Golf have introduced that 2025 was one other landmark yr for the sport throughout the nation, with iGolf and iPlay reaching new heights and extra scores than ever earlier than being submitted by means of the World Handicap System.
outstanding 11.83 million scores have been submitted by means of WHS™ in 2025 – a 16% improve on 2024 and the best whole for the reason that system’s introduction.
9-hole golf noticed significantly robust development, with submissions rising 28%, and 18-hole scores elevated by 14%. In the meantime, common play continued its upward trajectory, accounting for 52% of all scores and rising 26% year-on-year.
Following the introduction of four-ball better-ball (4BBB) scores for handicapping functions in 2024, England noticed a 68% improve in acceptable 4BBB scores being submitted in 2025, which exhibits the schooling and help offered is having an actual influence on the variety of acceptable scores being recorded.
England Golf’s sustained give attention to rising the ladies and women’ recreation has delivered important outcomes.
WOMEN’S GOLF
Feminine golfers submitted greater than 151,000 further scores in 2025, representing a 14% improve. Financial institution Vacation Monday 5 Could was the most well-liked day of the yr for feminine participation, with 13,200 scores entered.
In the meantime, Saturday 3 Could grew to become the busiest day general for golf in England, with 98,361 scores submitted – together with 93,591 from male golfers.
Richard Flint, Chief Working Officer at England Golf, stated the figures mirror a sport in wonderful well being.
“Golf actually is prospering in England, and the stats are there to again it up,” stated Flint. “Our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility by means of the Respect in Golf motion is making an actual distinction. All affiliated golf equipment and counties have embraced and applied fashionable ED&I insurance policies, guaranteeing the sport is welcoming to all.
“The rise in WHS™ scores additionally exhibits the simplicity and recognition of the MyEG app, which loved a report yr with greater than 500,000 downloads. Schooling round rating entry has clearly improved, and shorter rated tee units for women and men are serving to extra folks play collectively on programs that swimsuit their capability.”
THE RORY EFFECT
Flint additionally highlighted the rising attraction of shorter codecs. “The expansion in nine-hole scores – significantly amongst ladies, up 24% – exhibits that golf doesn’t all the time must imply 18 holes. If 9 holes assist folks benefit from the bodily, psychological, and social advantages of the sport, that’s unbelievable.
“Different components for the expansion will surely embody the truth that we had a dry, sizzling summer season, so subsequently extra folks need to get out on the course, and there’s little doubt the feel-good issue from Rory McIlroy’s grand slam win at The Masters, or Europe’s away win at The Ryder Cup, had an influence on inspiring extra folks to select up a membership.
“All of those components have performed a task in driving our core purpose of inspiring extra golfers, and we hope extra will proceed to catch the bug in 2026.”
