2025 continues to be another record-breaking year for golf in England according to the latest statistics from England Golf.
With 2024 seeing a record number of scores entered into the World Handicap System in England, 2025 has seen four of the first six months smash previous records.
In the first six months of 2025, more than 5.75 million scores have been entered through the World Handicap System, a 29% increase on the same period in 2024.
While January was 11% down on the previous year, February (28%), March (85%), April (98%) and May (18%) saw significant increases in rounds played. June was slightly down (3%) but golfers are well on course to surpass 2024’s record-breaking year, in which more than 10.2 million scores were entered.
England Golf’s Performance Team are also enjoying a tremendous year with a host of victories already in 2025.
Lottie Woad’s KPMG Irish Women’s Open win was a particular highlight, with the 21-year-old then turning professional, while Eliot Baker has won the Scottish Men’s Open and Portuguese Amateur.
Tyler Weaver qualified for the US Open, Dominic Clemons made his PGA Tour debut, and Seb Cave and Frazer Jones played in The Open, while Sadie Adams won the English Women’s Stroke Play, Davina Xanh won the St Rule Trophy, Charlotte Naughton won the German Girls’ Amateur, and Amelia Wan picked up the Welsh Women’s Stroke Play Championship.
On the team front, England has already won the European Cup of Nations, the Octagonal Match, and their biennial match with Spain, while the under-16s also defeated Spain. England’s men also broke a European Team Championship record in Ireland – shooting a combined 44 under-par in the stroke play standings, 12 shots better than the previous best, before going on to secure a bronze medal in the match play stages.
England Golf chief operating officer Richard Flint 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 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.”
