The National Survey for Wales places golf ahead of pool, darts and football in adult participation rankings, while Wales Golf’s membership data signals sustained growth – particularly among women and juniors – that brands targeting the UK market cannot ignore.
Golf is the most widely played adult sport in Wales, according to the most recent National Survey for Wales, outranking pool, darts and football in the country’s official participation data.
The survey, which tracks activity across a four-week rolling period, recorded 100,000 adult golfers – nearly 2 percent of the Welsh population. The figure encompasses all forms of the game, including driving ranges and social play, which broadens its reach beyond more structured competitive formats. Pool ranked second in the list, followed by darts and then football, with cricket, tennis and badminton also placing in the top ten.
Women lead the pace of change
Separate figures released by Wales Golf, the national governing body, show that overall adult and junior membership grew 7 percent in 2025 – a rate that marks sustained momentum for a category that has historically been slow to expand its base.
The most striking trend is among women. Female club membership rose around 4 percent last year, but the three-year trajectory is more significant: the number of women participating in golf in Wales has nearly tripled since 2022. Male membership increased 5 percent in 2025, while junior membership climbed by close to a third.
By the numbers
Total club membership in Wales reached 56,501 at year-end, comprising 45,171 male members and 5,549 female members. Junior membership stood at 5,781 – of whom 5,276 were boys and 505 girls.
