The golf landscape has seen an unprecedented shift in recent years. The latest National Golf Foundation (NGF) statistics show a dramatic rise in the number of kids picking up golf over the past four years. This has injected fresh enthusiasm and diversity into a game once dominated by older generations.
According to the NGF’s 2024 report, the total number of golfers in the United States has reached nearly 45 million. A significant chunk of this growth is attributed to younger players. This remarkable growth trend represents a sustained and growing interest among the youth.
It is driven by several factors, including increased accessibility, innovative youth programs, and the resurgence of outdoor activities inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. When Americans could not participate in many activities in 2020 and 2021, golf was deemed a safe outdoor activity, contributing to its rise in popularity, kids included. The total number of junior golfers in the U.S. has experienced an incredible 40-percent upswing over the past four years.
This reflects a trend toward a younger and trendier golfing demographic. Social media and YouTube have also played significant roles in the rise of the game among youth. This surge in youth engagement heralds a bright future for golf.
It ensures that the greens will be vibrant with young talent for decades to come. The NGF’s findings clearly indicate that the game is successfully bridging generational gaps and expanding its reach.
Kids fueling golf’s new growth
This ensures that the love for golf continues to grow. As the founder of Little Linksters, a program, academy, and nonprofit organization established in 2008, Brendon Elliott has long contended that golf is the perfect lifetime sport. “Getting a club in kids’ hands at the youngest age possible is important, not to train them to be the next Scottie Scheffler or Nelly Korda, but because golf teaches numerous life lessons and is an incredible conduit for creating lifelong friendships.
That is the spirit of this great game,” says Elliott. One of the many initiatives Elliott has started through Little Linksters celebrates golf among the youngest of our global population. The “Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in the World Video Contest” is now in its 13th year.
This contest has become a cherished tradition in the world of junior golf. It provides a unique platform for young golfers, ages 2 to 12, to showcase their swings and grow their love for the game. The contest is straightforward yet impactful.
In age groups of Under 3, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12, parents and guardians are invited to submit a short video of their child’s golf swing. A panel of esteemed judges then evaluates the entries, selecting the best swings based on form, technique, and overall potential. “As we look to the 2024 contest, our commitment remains steadfast: to shine a spotlight on the incredible young talents in our sport, to encourage their development, and to continue spreading the joy and values of golf to the next generation,” says Elliott.
For full details, including rules, or to enter your child, visit Little Linksters’ website. The entry deadline is Monday, September 30th, at 11:59 p.m.
