How Golf Grows Next, by Gather

Golf does not need more players. It needs more people confident enough to commit to the game.

Golf enters 2026 at a moment of separation.

Participation has stabilised. Spend remains resilient. But growth is uneven, fragile, and increasingly dependent on confidence, trust, and belonging rather than access alone.

Across 21 Gather White Papers and 13 Gather Reports, six opportunities consistently explain where growth will be created—or lost—in the next cycle.

Every opportunity tells you what the evidence shows and what leaders should do. No speculative language. No trend fluff.

This report is your evidence-backed roadmap for the year.

This report is available for free download below and we encourage you to share with your teams and colleagues.

Gather reports are normally exclusive to Gather Collective Members.

Your business can join today to access to ongoing exclusive data and intelligence within a community of leading businesses across golf. Gather Reports, first access to advisory research with Gather Golfers, events, and collaboration opportunities for $4000 / £3000 per annum.

What’s covered in the report? 

• Golf enters 2026 at a moment of separation
• The market reality in 2026
• Why old playbooks fail
• The six opportunities that will determine growth in 2026
• What smart leaders will do differently in 2026
• The Gather role
• Four ways that Gather can help you understand golfers better over the next 12 months