By Lydia PatrickShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberGolf is no longer your grandfather’s pastime. According to Yelp’s 2026 Trend Forecast, the sport is on the brink of a cultural takeover—driven not by seasoned country-club members, but by beginners, women, and Gen Z players looking for community, wellness, and something fun to do offline.
The numbers paint a clear picture: Searches for golf for beginners are up 809 percent, golf practice facility searches are up 215 percent, and interest in cheap golf courses has jumped 58 percent. But the biggest surge comes from people looking to play shorter, more casual rounds—with searches for 9-hole courses up a staggering 1,220 percent.
Across the board, the sport is becoming more social, more accessible, and more affordable. As Yelp notes, everything from women-led meetups like Swang Collective’s gatherings at Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles to activity-centric venues like Tiger Woods’ PopStroke is drawing in new players who may have never considered golf before. Even golf resort getaways —once reserved for enthusiasts—are on the rise, up 43 percent.
And where there’s a lifestyle trend, there’s fashion. Local golf shops and customization are booming too, with golf bag embroidery searches up 192 percent as players bring personal style to the greens.
...'The Most Rapid Growth Cycle Golf Has Seen in Decades'
Dr. Mark Kovacs, a human performance and golf expert who advises the United States Golf Association (USGA), says this moment isn’t random—it’s structural.
“Golf’s explosion in 2026 is not accidental,” he told Newsweek. “It’s the convergence of major cultural, economic, and behavioral shifts.”
According to Kovacs, the traditional barriers that kept newcomers out—cost, time, intimidation—are finally breaking down. Players are entering through short courses, practice memberships, casual 6- or 9-hole outings, or entertainment venues like PopStroke, Topgolf, and Five Iron Golf.
“You no longer need four hours, specialized clothes, or deep golf knowledge to participate,” he says. As municipalities and course operators respond to demand with more laid-back, lower-cost offerings, accessibility is rising faster than ever.
A Wellness Activity Disguised as a Sport
Perhaps the most surprising driver of golf’s resurgence is health—but not in the intense, performance-driven way many sports promote it.
“Younger adults want low-stress time outside, a break from screens, and movement that supports longevity,” Kovacs says. A single round of golf can rack up 10,000–14,000 steps, checks the “productive leisure” box for Gen Z, and offers social interaction without the pressure of a crowded bar.
Golf is becoming part of a broader cultural pivot away from hustle culture and toward slower, intentional recreation— something people can enjoy without the pressure of tracking metrics or hitting personal records.
Social Media Made Golf Cool—and Inclusive
TikTok and Instagram have completely transformed the sport’s public image. Instead of exclusive country-club aesthetics, feeds are filled with:
- Beginners documenting their progress
- Public-course vlogs
- Fashion-forward, gender-inclusive golf fits
- Scramble nights and 2-club challenges
- Women’s leagues and diverse golf communities
“Golf no longer looks like an exclusive endeavor,” Kovacs says. “It looks like a lifestyle hobby—and one that anyone can join.”
This visibility is drawing in new players who may have previously felt shut out.
The Fastest-Growing Group in Golf? Women
Women between 22 and 50 are entering the sport at unprecedented rates. Kovacs attributes this to more inclusive leagues, group-based lessons, women-designed apparel, and the fact that golf blends fitness, skill-building, and networking.
“Many women report that golf is one of the few sports where you can combine exercise, social connection, and skill development with professional benefit,” he says.
Entertainment Golf Is an On-Ramp, Not a Replacement
Despite concerns that simulator bars and entertainment venues might cannibalize traditional golf, data shows the opposite. Most players who start at places like PopStroke or Topgolf transition to real courses within a year.
“They reduce fear of failure and build early coordination,” says Kovacs. “It’s exactly how pickleball grew—easy access leads to long-term interest.”
So Where Is Golf Headed Next?
Both experts agree: this isn’t a fad. It’s a full-scale reintroduction of the sport.
By the end of 2026, expect to see:
- More short courses and relaxed layouts
- Flexible-access and lower-cost memberships
- Growth in women-first and Gen Z-first programs
- A boom in golf fashion and customizable gear
- Tech-enabled practice facilities
- Revitalization of municipal courses
- A surge in coaching and group instruction
- Growth in high-end, luxury golf experiences for older players
Trend forecaster Jen Boersma—who has represented multiple golf brands, including the training-aid company PuttAim—says golf is “entering a new era,” one centered on accessibility and community.
“Golf has become a ‘slow hobby’ in a world that’s been speeding up for too long,” she told Newsweek. “Younger millennials and Gen Z are gravitating toward activities that let them disconnect from screens, spend time outside, and recharge—all without the pressure of high performance."
With interest booming on both ends of the spectrum—from public-course beginners to luxury-travel enthusiasts—the sport is expanding rather than shifting.
“Golf in 2026 looks younger, more diverse, more social, more affordable, and more aligned with modern wellness and lifestyle values than ever before,” Kovacs says.
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