England Golf have announced that 2025 was another landmark year for the game across the country, with iGolf and iPlay reaching new heights and more scores than ever before being submitted through the World Handicap System.
remarkable 11.83 million scores were submitted through WHS™ in 2025 – a 16% increase on 2024 and the highest total since the system’s introduction.
Nine-hole golf saw particularly strong growth, with submissions rising 28%, and 18-hole scores increased by 14%. Meanwhile, general play continued its upward trajectory, accounting for 52% of all scores and growing 26% year-on-year.
Following the introduction of four-ball better-ball (4BBB) scores for handicapping purposes in 2024, England saw a 68% increase in acceptable 4BBB scores being submitted in 2025, which shows the education and support provided is having a real impact on the number of acceptable scores being recorded.
England Golf’s sustained focus on growing the women and girls’ game has delivered significant results.
WOMEN’S GOLF
Female golfers submitted more than 151,000 additional scores in 2025, representing a 14% increase. Bank Holiday Monday 5 May was the most popular day of the year for female participation, with 13,200 scores entered.
Meanwhile, Saturday 3 May became the busiest day overall for golf in England, with 98,361 scores submitted – including 93,591 from male golfers.
Richard Flint, Chief Operating Officer at England Golf, said the figures reflect a sport in excellent health.
“Golf really is thriving in England, and the stats are there to back it up,” said Flint. “Our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility through the Respect in Golf movement is making a real difference. All affiliated clubs and counties have embraced and implemented modern ED&I policies, ensuring the game is welcoming to all.
“The rise in WHS™ scores also shows the simplicity and popularity of the MyEG app, which enjoyed a record year with more than 500,000 downloads. Education around score entry has clearly improved, and shorter rated tee sets for men and women are helping more people play together on courses that suit their ability.”
THE RORY EFFECT
Flint also highlighted the growing appeal of shorter formats. “The growth in nine-hole scores – particularly among women, up 24% – shows that golf doesn’t always have to mean 18 holes. If nine holes help people enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of the game, that’s fantastic.
“Other factors for the growth would certainly include the fact that we had a dry, hot summer, so therefore more people want to get out on the course, and there’s no doubt the feel-good factor from Rory McIlroy’s grand slam win at The Masters, or Europe’s away win at The Ryder Cup, had an impact on inspiring more people to pick up a club.
“All of these factors have played a role in driving our core aim of inspiring more golfers, and we hope more will continue to catch the bug in 2026.”
