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Player participation
in decline say KPMG
KPMG report first fall in Europe Golf participation in
more than twenty years
KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice
reports that there was a net loss
of 46,000 registered golfers in
2011, with the UK & Ireland -
42,700 (-3.1%), Sweden -21,000
(-4.1%) and Spain -9,700 (-2.9%)
recording the most significant
reductions in player numbers.
The Golf Participation in Europe
2011 survey recorded a small
increase in the total number of
courses in Europe last year (up
0.7% to 6,740), whilst the
number of participants fell below
4.4 million (-1%).
The downturn in registered golf
participation follows a twenty-five
year period of growth - the
number of golfers has more than
tripled since the 1980s, whilst the
number of golf courses has
doubled in the same period.
Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s
Golf Advisory Practice, said:
“Whilst the growth of golf started
to slow down after 2005, last
year was the first time there was
“No signifi cant differences in the cut
quality in terms of shredding, rough
cut edges or turf die back between the
Merlin 320 rotary mower and the
control (reel type) mower”.
Mitchell, A. (2011). Trimax Merlin 320 Mower Trial.
NZ Turf Management Journal, 26(2), 20-24.
Unit 11B, Hill Farm Estate, Irthlingborough Road, Little Addington
Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 4AS, United Kingdom
PHONE: 01933 652235 EMAIL: info@trimaxmowers.co.uk
6 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
an actual decrease in registered
golfers. The decline can be
attributed to two factors: the
reduction in the number of
golfers in some of Europe’s
largest golf markets, especially
the UK and Ireland, and the lack
of dynamic growth in Europe’s
emerging markets, specifically
Eastern Europe and the South-
East Mediterranean.”
Whilst the number of officially
recognised participants in the UK
and Ireland fell to 1,326,700,
still more than double the size of
Europe’s second largest golf
market, Germany (610,100),
Sartori pointed out that golfers in
the UK and Ireland don’t have to
be registered, unlike most
European countries, so the
decline could be attributed in
part to players giving up club
memberships, while continuing
to play on a daily fee basis.
However, feedback from the
survey also suggests golf courses
across Europe are failing
to respond appropriately
to the challenging
economic conditions, and
may be losing customers
as a result.
“Golf clubs need to
proactively and effectively face
up to the challenging economic
climate to retain members or
attract new golfers,” continued
Andrea Sartori. “Based on our
survey, rather than introducing
youth and family programmes,
and promotional packages,
approximately 30-40% of
Europe’s operators and club
managers actually increased
prices in 2011. More than half of
clubs have not invested in
enhanced marketing - and many
have not yet capitalised on the
opportunities provided by online
marketing and social media.”
The survey highlighted that golf
remains a male-dominated sport
in Europe, with 65% of all
Andrea Sartori
players being male and 25%
female (10% are juniors).
German-speaking countries
(Germany, Austria and
Switzerland) and the
Netherlands, remain flagship
markets for female participation,
with more than 30% of golfers
being women.
“Whilst much of the golf market
stagnation in Europe may be
attributed to the overall
economic climate, continued
support and investment in new
programmes will be needed to
sustain demand and generate
further growth in the game,
especially in mature and
developed golf markets,” added
Andrea Sartori.
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