Where is golf played the most? To find out, we're relying on the The R&A's "Golf Around the World" Report, the body that sets the rules of golf outside the United States and Mexico. Its latest edition lists all the courses around the world, country by country, as of the end of 2020.
Ranking of the 20 Countries with the Most Golf Courses
A course, as defined by the R&A, has at least 9 holes; a 36-hole complex therefore counts as multiple courses. This explains the discrepancy between the number of courses and the number of facilities.
The Top 10 Nations in Golf
United States
The United States alone accounts for 42% of the world's golf courses: 16,156 courses spread across 14,139 facilities—far more than the next ten countries combined.
Japan
As the world's second-largest golfing nation, with 3,140 courses and 45,165 holes, Japan is slightly ahead of the United Kingdom, the birthplace of the game.
United Kingdom
The birthplace of golf has 3,101 courses: 2,213 in England, 594 in Scotland, 184 in Wales, and 113 in Northern Ireland. England holds the record for density: one course for every 59 km².
Canada
2,564 courses for 2,200 facilities: despite a short season, Canada ranks fourth in the world in golf, far ahead of European countries.
Australia
1,584 courses spread across a vast territory: together with New Zealand, Australia accounts for 96% of the golf courses in Oceania.
Germany
It is the leading country in continental Europe with 1,054 courses. It has only 737 facilities: many German clubs have 27 or 36 holes.
France
France ranks 7th with 811 courses, 11,058 holes, and 645 facilities, just ahead of South Korea.
South Korea
With 810 courses—just one short of France—South Korea is one of Asia’s leading golfing nations.
Sweden
650 courses for a country of about 10 million people: one of the highest numbers of courses per capita in Europe.
China
617 courses identified: a modest number given the country's size and population.
The Densest Golf Country: England
In terms of land area, no country can match England: its 2,213 courses spread across 130,000 km² mean there is one golf course for every 59 km² or so. Wales (one every 113 km²), Northern Ireland (125 km²), and Scotland (131 km²) round out an all-British top three. In contrast, Australia’s 1,584 courses are spread across 7.7 million km².
See also
Top 100 Golf Courses in the World
The 20 Most Beautiful Golf Courses in the World
The 15 Most Challenging Golf Courses in the World
The Most Exclusive Golf Clubs in the World
The Best Golf Courses in Scotland
The 15 Best Golf Courses in PortugalAnd to choose a route by country: The Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Mexico, the Caribbean, Morocco, or All of our rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the most golf courses in the world?
The United States leads by a wide margin, with 16,156 courses as of the end of 2020, accounting for 42% of the global total. Next are Japan (3,140), the United Kingdom (3,101), and Canada (2,564).
How many golf courses are there in the world?
38,081 courses as of the end of 2020, spread across 206 of the world’s 251 countries and territories, according to the R&A. Another 540 were in the planning or construction stages.
How many golf courses are there in France?
With 811 courses, 11,058 holes, and 645 facilities, France ranks 7th in the world and 3rd in Europe, behind the United Kingdom and Germany.
Which country has the highest density of golf courses?
England: one course for roughly every 59 km² (23 sq mi). Next come Wales (one every 113 km²), Northern Ireland (125 km²) and Scotland (131 km²).
Are most golf courses private?
No: Of 38,081 courses, 30,364 are open to the public—either through green fees or on a pay-as-you-play basis—while 7,717 are reserved for members.
Source: The R&A's "Golf Around the World" Report, 4th edition (2021), produced in collaboration with the National Golf Foundation. Figures as of the end of 2020: this is the most recent edition published.