In 1993, the PGA of America founded National Golf Month, to be held annually in August. The goal was to promote and celebrate the growing game of golf as being socially engaging, accessible and an enjoyable sport for all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Broadly, as an industry, a goal is to recognize that the game of golf is an important driver of both direct and indirect economic benefits for the country and for key golf destinations through tourism.
Based upon a recently released 2024 year in review report from the National Golf Foundation ("The Graffis Report"), there were an estimated 28.1 million traditional "on-course" playing golfers in the United States at the end of 2024, which is an increase of around 1.5 million as compared to 2023. That is the largest single year increase since 2000 and the seventh consecutive year of growth. Total participation in the game was estimated to be around 47.2 million, up from 30 million in 2014, and includes those playing traditional golf courses as well as those playing "off-course" games, such the use of driving ranges, and socially engaging locations such as indoor golf simulators and outdoor golf entertainment venues.
In 2024 the total number of rounds of golf played nationally at public, private and resort associated facilities reached an estimated 545 million, up 22% from 2019, and it was the fifth consecutive year of over 500 million rounds of golf played.
Golf is also becoming more diverse in participation, with 28% of on-course golfers being female, up 41% from 2019, and 25% being people of color, up 44% from 2019. Junior golfers, aged 6 to 17, are 13% of on-course golfers, a 48% increase since 2019, and those aged 18 to 34 now make up an estimated 24% of on-course golfers, with both age groups representing an increasing number of future, life-long golfers. Plus, seniors aged 65 and over are also demonstrating increasing interest, representing 21% of on-course golfers, which is a 28% increase since 2019 as the "baby boomer" generation enters their retirement years.
Golf tourism, as a specific area of focus, is an important driver of both direct and indirect economic benefit to many parts of the country. Since 2022, an estimated 12 million Americans have travelled to play golf each year, which is up from around 8 million in 2018. With an average length of around 3 days, those golf trips contribute revenues not only to the courses and to golf related equipment sales directly, but to local resorts and hotels, short-term rental properties, restaurants, retail locations, entertainment, car rentals and transportation services, as well as other venues where golf travelers spend their money.
Here in Florida, we are one of the world's most popular golf tourism destinations with over 1,200 courses, the highest of any state in the U.S. Based upon a report released by the Florida Sports Foundation in late 2022 (the most recent data available), golf's direct economic impact to the state for the combined fiscal years of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 was estimated to be $21.3 billion, with the total indirect impact estimated to be $44.2 billion. A very large financial benefit, while also supporting the employment of over 300,000 in golf, tourism and service-related businesses, along with the generation of an estimated $4.3 billion in both state and local tax revenues. The state is also host to the annual PGA Show here in Orlando, which is the premiere golf industry trade show with an estimated 30,000 golf industry professionals attending earlier this year. Florida hosts numerous men's and women's professional golf events from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour, as well as collegiate and other amateur golf tournaments, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to these events each year.
As can be seen by these figures, participation in the game that we celebrate each August continues to increase and broaden in appeal, and the opportunities to enjoy the game, both on and off the course have increased dramatically in recent years. Further, the golf industry is a key sector of the U.S. economy, supporting many large and small businesses, both directly and indirectly, and is a major component of the more general sports, recreation and leisure economy that is a critical part of our diverse society.
We look forward to welcoming you to our golf facilities here at "The Happiest Place on Turf!" during National Golf Month to celebrate and support the game we all cherish.