According to Sports Marketing Surveys, the number of golfers in Great Britain is still about 4 million– where it has been since 2000.

The same is true for regular golfers who play at least 12 times a year. The 1.65 million today is almost exactly the same level as in 2000.

Among regular golfers, 566,000 play once a week or more--a number that has been gradually declining over the last few years. Driving range usage meanwhile has steadily increased since 2002, and there are now more than 3 million golfers visit a range each year.

Fewer than 28 percent of all golfers (1.1 million) are members of a club, a decrease of 4 percent since 2006. But because club members each play nearly 40 rounds of golf a year they account for 59 percent of all rounds played.

Sports Marketing Surveys believes that there is still room for golf to grow, as 10 percent of the 16-44 age group play golf, while only seven percent of those aged over 45 are playing. The challenge is to keep the younger generation in the game.

Contact Tony Scott.