USGA Provides a Snapshot of the Recreational Game
The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced in late December that 3.35 million golfers posted over 77 million scores in 2024, and that the World Handicap System contains first-person data that offers a one-of-a-kind snapshot of how the game was played last season at a macro level. The report also compares data going back to 2020 to reveal trends about the recreational game.
As the calendar turns to 2025, users can interact with an updated GHIN Rewind to see a complete picture of their 2024 golf game.
The USGA said that trends include:
A significant increase in 9-hole score posting: There were a record number of 9-hole rounds played in 2024 with 13,798,174 scores posted – an 8% increase over 2023 and up nearly 40% since 2020.
More golfers with a Handicap Index®: Over 3.35 million golfers in the U.S. maintained a Handicap Index in 2024 – up over 6% year over year and up nearly 30% since 2020.
New golfers posting more 9-hole rounds: Those who established a Handicap Index in 2024 were more likely to play and post 9-hole rounds; women who started this year played 9 over 50% of the time, whereas men new to the game played 9 over 28 percent of the time.
Short courses becoming more popular: Since last January, par-3 and other shorter length courses are now eligible to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating® and, to date, over 180K scores have been posted at more than 350 short courses nationwide.
Most rounds posted are recreational: A widely held notion that a Handicap Index is only for golfers who are playing in elite competitions continues to be dispelled by the data, as 94.5% of the 77 million rounds posted were recreational. Also, 25.4% of men and 23.7% of women posted at least one competitive score in 2024, meaning that over 75% of all golfers were playing and posting for fun.
Chris Whitten, executive director of the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) said that we are seeing very similar trends in the game in the Great Lakes State, as GAM membership growth has been 60% since 2020, with more rounds being posted across the state each year.
“Short courses and 9-hole rounds are making a big impact,” Whitten said. “In Michigan, GAM has rated all 14 shorter courses that requested it, and, for example, Threetops at Treetops Resort has become a favorite for posting rounds.
“The recent changes to WHS rules for 9-hole rounds are a game-changer, too. Now, scores immediately affect a golfer’s index, making it easier and more rewarding to post those rounds— there is no more waiting to combine two 9-hole scores.
“All of this reinforces something we’ve always believed,” Whitten continued: “Handicap Indexes are for everyone. They bring golfers together and level the playing field, no matter the skill difference. It’s been amazing to see this mindset drive our growth over the past four years."
