GB&I golf worth more than £5bn

Golf is worth £5.25 billion to the British and Irish economies, according to a new survey.

The study also found that the average European golfer spends £1,642 per year on the game, £5 less than the average Australian and £80 less than the average American golfer.

The report, commissioned by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), and produced by SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC, found that 41 per cent of the money generated from the game in Europe goes to Britain and Ireland. In total, golf is worth just under £13 billion to Europe’s economy.

Key economic findings across the 27 European Union nations plus Norway and Switzerland, which represent a combined population of 510 million, show the sport is responsible for a minimum of 180,000 full time jobs and employee wages of £3.8 billion.

While the well-documented economic downturn has hit popular European golf destinations such as Spain and Portugal, golf tourism still contributes £1.29 billion of the annual impact.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones commented: “Golf plays a significant role both in its economic impact and also in delivering social, behavioural and sporting benefits with the PGA professional firmly at the centre of the golf industry.

“In addition golf is also a huge contributor to charitable causes in Europe and last year generated more than £73 million supporting a range of good causes.”