European golf growth declines for first time in 25 years
KPMG survey discovers that the registered number of golfers in Europe has declined for the first time in 25 years
KPMG has announced that the number of golfers in Europe has declined for the first time after more than 20 years of growth.
A survey carried out by KPMG discovered that there was a net loss of 46,000 registered golfers in 2011. Sweden saw the biggest decline with a loss of 4.1 per cent of its golfing population.
The decline in figures comes after a 25-year period of steady growth, the number of golfers since the 1980s tripling.
The Golf Participation in Europe 2011 survey did however record a small increase in the total number of courses in Europe last year.
Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG's golf advisory practice in EMA, said: "While the growth of golf started to slow down after 2005, last year was the first time there was 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."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
-
Two-Time Major Runner-Up Amy Olson Announces Retirement Aged 31
The LPGA Tour pro, who has been on maternity leave since last year, made the announcement on social media
By Mike Hall Published
-
Angela Stanford’s Pursuit Of 100 Consecutive Majors Could End Painfully Short After Two Huge Blows
The 46-year-old had been hoping to make a 99th successive Major appearance at the US Women's Open, but a double blow means her options are slimmer than ever
By Mike Hall Published