England Golf has hailed 2025 as one of the most successful years in the organisation’s history, with participation levels, score submissions and digital engagement all reaching unprecedented
highs across the country.
Figures released by the national governing body show that a record 11.83 million scores were submitted through the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) during the year — a 16% increase on 2024 and the highest total since WHS™ was introduced. The data underlines a game in robust health, supported by innovation, inclusivity and changing player habits.
Nine-hole and general play drive growth
Shorter formats continued to reshape how golfers engage with the sport. Nine-hole score submissions rose by 28%, while traditional 18-hole scores increased by 14%. General play remained the dominant format, accounting for 52% of all submitted scores, up 26% year-on-year.
The continued education around acceptable scoring formats also paid dividends. After four-ball better-ball (4BBB) scores became acceptable for handicapping in 2024, England recorded a 68% increase in submitted 4BBB scores in 2025, highlighting growing confidence among players and clubs in the system.
Women and girls’ golf continues upward trend
England Golf’s long-term commitment to growing the women and girls’ game delivered further tangible results. Female golfers submitted over 151,000 more scores than the previous year — a 14% increase.
Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, proved the most popular day of the year for female participation, with 13,200 scores recorded. Overall, Saturday 3 May was the busiest day for golf in England, with 98,361 scores submitted, including 93,591 from male golfers.
Claire Hodgson, Head of iGolf and iPlay, said: “The pathway is clearly working. Since launch, more than 2,000 iPlay users have progressed to iGolf, and over 24,000 iGolf subscribers have moved into club membership – including 9,600 in 2025 alone. There is a platform for everyone to begin their golfing journey and progress as far as they wish.”
Digital pathways reach new milestones
England Golf’s digital participation platforms also enjoyed standout growth. iGolf, aimed at independent golfers, now has more than 72,800 subscribers, with nearly 40,000 new registrations in 2025 alone — a 33% increase on 2024, including a 34% rise in female sign-ups.
Meanwhile, iPlay, designed for newcomers and infrequent players, grew by 61%, passing 10,400 registrations.
With participation rising across all formats and demographics, England Golf believes the momentum will continue into 2026, as more people discover — or rediscover — the game.
Photo by Roger Gilbertson, Wikimedia commons.