Walt Disney World® Golf Blog

The National Golf Foundation, the leading golf industry organization, recently released their latest annual report on the state of golf. The report for 2015 provides insights into the current trends in the game of golf and the golf industry.

For the first time since 2012, coming out of the recession and related impact factors, participation in the game, both in terms of the number of new golfers and the number of rounds played, have increased.

Over 2 million new golfers joined the game in 2015 and there are 500,000 more junior golfers, ages 6 to 17, participating in the game as compared to 2010.

Pete Bevacqua, the CEO of the PGA of America, was interviewed on March 9, 2016 by Charlie Rymer on the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive Show and answered questions about the report and his optimistic views of the game’s future.

2015 numbers chart

Key factors influencing the increase in play are:

  • Significant growth in the number of junior players, under age 13, who are participating through the PGA Junior League Golf program. 30,000 junior golfers on 2,500 teams around the country were involved in 2015. This not only builds a base of new golfers, but also helps to set the stage for increasing future participation, as the junior golfers grow older. Walt Disney World® Golf, operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, is proud to have hosted the PGA Junior League Golf National Championships in November of 2015.
  • The increasing visibility and excitement brought by younger PGA and LPGA Tour Players, including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko, have provided for an increased level of interest by younger audiences, not only to watch the game on TV or as spectators, but has importantly served to increase interest in playing the game.
  • Increasing participation in the PGA of America’s Get Golf Ready program, in its 7th year, which provides for a series of 5 inexpensive lessons, taught by PGA of America Professionals, to teach new golfers basic skills. Over 100,000 new golfers participated in and graduated from this program in 2015.

This is exciting news for the future of the game of golf!

If you are a new golfer and/or have a junior golfer that is interested in taking up the game or improving your skills, Walt Disney World® Golf is committed to supporting you. We offer lessons, junior camps and our Player’s Club, taught by our PGA of America Professionals to offer a variety of instructional opportunities. Disney’s Oak Trail 9-hole walking course provides for a family friendly golf experience for new and junior golfers.

For the first time, we are providing junior golfers the opportunity to represent and compete on behalf of Walt Disney World® Golf in the PGA Junior League Golf program during the upcoming 2016 season! You can get more information and register until the end of April at https://pgajlg.sportngin.com/register/form/054123403.

We look forward to welcoming you to the “Happiest Place on TURF!”