Staff WriterIt seems England Golf is swinging for the fences in 2025—and connecting flush every time. In what’s shaping up to be another barnstorming year, the governing body has revealed that over 5.75 million scores have already been submitted to the World Handicap System™ in just the first six months alone. That’s not just a record—it’s a 29% leap over the same period in 2024, which, mind you, was no slouch either.
Yes, January trundled out of the gate 11% down (probably rain), but golf in England roared back with the fury of a links lion: February shot up 28%, March went full Bryson with an 85% spike, April nearly doubled with a 98% rise, and May delivered an 18% bump. June cooled off slightly—down 3%—but overall, England Golf is teeing up to blow past 2024’s all-time high of 10.2 million recorded rounds.
But it’s not just weekend warriors racking up scores. England Golf’s Performance Team is on a heater of its own, producing champions at a rate not seen since Ian Poulter’s peak wardrobe rotation.
Take Lottie Woad, who collected the KPMG Irish Women’s Open title this month and promptly turned professional with the kind of timing that makes you wonder if she also plays poker.
Eliot Baker has been busy stuffing trophies into overhead compartments, winning the Scottish Men’s Open and the Portuguese Amateur.
Meanwhile, Tyler Weaver punched his ticket to the US Open, and Dominic Clemons made his PGA Tour debut with a smile that said, “I belong here.”
Not to be outdone, Seb Cave and Frazer Jones flew the England flag at the 153rd Open Championship, while on the women’s side, Sadie Adams claimed the English Women’s Stroke Play crown, Davina Xanh nabbed the St Rule Trophy, Charlotte Naughton ruled the German Girls’ Amateur, and Amelia Wan swept the Welsh Women’s Stroke Play like it was a Sunday stableford.
And then there’s the team scene, where England Golf is making its mark across Europe. Victories in the European Cup of Nations, the Octagonal Match, and a biennial beatdown of Spain headline the growing medal haul.
Even the Under 16s got in on the act with their own win over the Spaniards. But perhaps the crown jewel came in Ireland, where the England Men shattered the European Team Championship stroke play record with a jaw-dropping -44—twelve shots clear of the previous best—before walking off with bronze in match play.
Richard Flint, England Golf’s Chief Operating Officer and a man not prone to hyperbole, said: “Certainly the warmer weather this year has played a key role in more people getting out and playing more golf, but there are other important factors at play which are helping us to increase participation.
“Golf is appealing to a wider range of people, and the work we are doing with initiatives across junior golf, women’s golf and also iGolf – catering for independent golfers who aren’t members of a golf club – are providing a host of opportunities for people to track their progress.
“Furthermore, our Respect in Golf movement is growing from strength to strength, with all affiliated clubs and counties committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities, and organisations showing their commitment by pushing the message that golf is a game for all to enjoy.”
So, while some sports struggle to stay relevant, England Golf is finding new fairways to play on—uniting the scratch player, the club newbie, and the 14-handicapper who still thinks he’s a few swing thoughts away from Augusta.
Turns out, in 2025, golf in England isn’t just alive—it’s thriving, booming, and booming some more.
