THE DATA
What is golf worth to Ireland?
New research shows the economic value of the sport to the Irish economy each year is soaring. We’ve got the details
THE next time someone asks you why golf matters just point them in the direction of Ireland.
New research has highlighted the sport’s contribution to the economy in Northern Ireland and the Republic – and it is massive.
A report from the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, and unveiled by Golf Ireland in collaboration with The R&A, revealed golf contributes €717 million each year in direct economic value and supports 15,600 jobs.
Covering consumer spending, Gross Value Added, employment and tax revenues, it also showed golf consumer spending reached €703 million – about €100 per head of population, while club membership on its own was 20% of all golf expenditure, or €143 million.
“These findings highlight golf’s major economic role here, underscoring our sport’s ability to drive growth and create employment across Ireland,” said Golf Ireland chief executive Mark Kennelly.
“We are particularly encouraged by the growth in golf tourism and event attendance, which signals a strong future for golf as both a sport and a key driver of economic activity in communities throughout the island of Ireland.”
€717M
– how much golf is worth to Ireland’s economy each year
15,600
– the number of jobs supported by golf, with 12,200 of those in the Republic
223,592
– the number of golf club members in Ireland, up 18% on 2014
Golf directly supported around 15,600 jobs across the island of Ireland, with some €277.6 million being generated in taxes from consumption, income and corporate profits. This number is far in excess of government grants received by the sector.
The economy will get a further boost from the recent return of The Open to Royal Portrush. In 2019, the event generated more than £100 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland, according to the Sheffield experts. That is likely to be significantly exceeded this time around.
The report concluded there were positive prospects for Ireland’s golf industry to continue to thrive. “There is strong evidence of latent demand for golf amongst the public in Ireland from the 2024 Golf Barometer Report,” it said.
“For example, some 22% of non-golfers are interested in playing golf in the future. Parents are advocates for golf with 18% of non-golfing parents seeing golf as a sport in which their children are likely to participate.
“In addition, there are growing numbers of people playing alternative and shortened formats of golf, and 49% of non-golfers stated that they believe golf is a sport for people of all abilities.”
€143M
– the amount spent on membership fees and subscriptions, accounting for 20% of all golf expenditure
€277.6M
– the amount generated annually in taxes for central governments from consumption, income and corporate profits
22%
- the number of non-golfers in Ireland said to be interested in playing the sport in the future
With the Ryder Cup arriving at Adare Manor in 2027, and the possibility of Portmarnock hosting The Open and the Women’s Open in the future, the report concluded: “The totality of these major golf events happening in quick succession will raise the profile of golf in Ireland and reinforce its reputation as a global destination for golf tourism.”
Professor Simon Shibli, Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Golf is a significant industry in Ireland, which might otherwise go under the radar were it not for the Satellite Account research.
“It is an industry that has grown impressively since our 2017 study, based on 2014 data. The fundamentals are in place for future growth in economic impact, notably in the form of invisible exports from visitors coming to play or to watch golf.”
