Scottish Golf has revealed that over two million scores were submitted through the World Handicap System™ (WHS) in 2025 – a record figure.
This follows the news that England Golf also saw a record number of scores submitted last year.
Scottish Golf also reports that there were significant levels of growth in all categories of play in 2025.
New statistics demonstrate an overall 14 percent rise in the number of scores posted in 2025 compared to 2024.
The total number of scores registered was 2,039,119.
This represents an increase of 253,554 rounds and the largest total since the new handicapping system was introduced during the pandemic participation surge in 2020.
In fact, the data shows year-on-year increases across all categories including 18-hole, nine-hole, competition rounds and ‘General Play’ scores (rounds submitted outside of competitions for handicap purposes).
The total number of scores posted by females shot up by 14 percent, with nine-hole scores growing by 20 percent and General Play scores 32 percent up on the previous 12 months.
Scottish Golf CEO Robbie Clyde said: “These figures – across the board – are fantastic and show that golf in Scotland is thriving.
“As a governing body, we are committed to providing a wide range of support to our affiliated clubs and facilities so that they can have strong foundations for growth.
“It’s brilliant to have such momentum as we head into 2026.
“I firmly believe golf is Scotland’s national sport and the levels of play that we have seen in the past year clearly demonstrates that golf remains a passion – perhaps even an obsession – for many of us!
“The growth of nine-hole golf, a healthy rise in scores submitted by female golfers and access to General Play scoring shows that golf is more flexible and accessible than ever before.”
The full breakdown of scoring statistics from 2025
Competition scores totalled 1,422,435 (up 86,922 or 7%)
General Play scores totalled 616,684 (up 166,632 or 37%)
18-hole rounds accounted for 1,878,986 of all scores (a rise of 222,323 or 13%)
Nine-hole rounds accounted for 160,133 of all scores (a rise of 31,231 or 24%)
May was the busiest month for play with 353,667 rounds submitted
Saturday 3 May was the busiest single day with 27,795 scores submitted
The total rounds posted by females in 2025 was 198,847 (a rise of 24,311 or 14%)
The total rounds posted by males in 2025 was 1,840,272 (a rise of 229,243 or 14%)
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