Plenty of highlights for Golf Ireland in 2025 

Golf Ireland celebrated another strong year when they provided a scorecard of their own performance for 2025. 

It was a positive year on many fronts, from showpiece events, international success, and overall participation in the game. 

Clubs around the county have been reporting another positive year for membership, and that was also the case nationally.

It has been another year of growth across all areas of membership. 

By the end of October membership figures had reached 236,384. Just five years ago the membership figure stood at 182,000 prior to a Covid related boost, and the 30% increase over the past five years represents a sustainable growth. 

Women now account for 20% of the overall membership figure. 2025 saw a major increase with Golf Ireland adding 8% to its total membership. Junior membership has jumped by 25% in the same time.

Part of the increase in the number of golfers is also down to the new iGolf scheme that was launched last year. 

The new option allows golfers to affiliate to Golf Ireland without the need to join a club. 

The scheme came in for criticism from many golfers and clubs, both groups citing potential problems around the integrity of handicaps and the threat to club membership numbers.

The independent Golfers programme, called iGolf was launched in October 2024 to grow participation, and there are currently over 4,900 subscribers. 

They are based in all counties with the majority based in densely populated areas, such as Dublin, Cork and Antrim. The average Handicap Index for men is 19, with women at 31.

iGolfers have played more than 30,000 rounds, over 90% of which were general play scores, and they contributed an estimated €1.4 million in green fee revenue to golf clubs. 

Interesting, even though the scheme is only a year old, over 240 iGolfers have gone on to become members of golf clubs. 

The conversion rate of just under 5% is really positive for Golf Ireland, and for golf clubs and shows that the new system is a pathway to golf club membership.

While Golf Ireland is predominantly interested in the domestic game, golf tourism is a major economic driver and the Golf Ireland Economic Report stated that golf contributes €717 million to the Irish economy. 

The study found consumer spending on golf totalled €703 million, including €143 million on club memberships and subscriptions, while the game supports 15,600 jobs.

The research highlights continued growth in participation, with the percentage of adults playing golf rising from 7.6% in 2014 to about 10% in 2023. 

These findings underline golf’s value not only as a recreational activity but as an important contributor to employment, tourism, and regional development. They also strengthen the case for ongoing public investment in facilities and programmes.

It's estimated that The Open Championship in Royal Portrush generated almost €300m in economic benefit this year, all eyes will be on the next big event scheduled for Ireland which is the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027. 

Prior to that Ireland will host another important event, the Walker Cup which takes place in Lahinch in September 2026.

Cork interest could be high in this event following the outstanding performance from John Doyle in 2025. If selected Doyle would follow in the steps of Bruen, O’Connell, Sugrue and Murphy. 

Unlike the others however, he would become the first Cork golfer to play in a Walker Cup taking place in Ireland.

Doyle was one of the standout performers of 2025, winning the Irish Boys and Munster Stroke Play in Cork, finishing runner up in the St Andrew’s Links, and representing Ireland at the Europeans and the Home Internationals.

Cork interest was high in the inter-club events. Starting in May and running through to September, every club in the county participated in a number of the 40 plus competitions. Participation in Golf Ireland’s Inter-Club competitions continue to grow. 

Figures put them among Ireland’s largest sporting events, with approximately 25,000 golfers of all abilities representing their clubs on the 4,654 teams, entered in 12 All-Ireland and 33 Regional Inter-Club competitions, staged by Golf Ireland.

Douglas pulled off an historic double in the AIG Men’s and Women’s Senior Cups when they hosted the finals at the end of August. 

It was the first time any club has completed the double since Royal Portrush in 1979.

Against the odds, both the men’s and women’s teams reversed a deficit at halfway to pull off two unlikely victories on the 18th green.