Golf worth €717m to economy and supports 15,600 jobs, new report reveals

Game generating €277.6m annually in taxes, says Golf Ireland

Paul Haran (Golf Ireland chair), Robert Oxley (The R&A), Mark Kennelly (Golf Ireland CEO), Simon Shibli (Sheffield Hallam University) and Tracy Bunyan (Golf Ireland COO) at the launch of the new report on Thursday. The game of golf in Ireland has bounced back from its covid setback and now contributes €717m to the economy annually and supports 15,600 jobs.

The game of golf in Ireland has bounced back from its covid setback and now contributes €717m to the economy annually and supports 15,600 jobs, new research published on Thursday shows.

The report by Golf Ireland, indicates that in 2023, golf activities contributed €717m in direct economic value (gross value added), marking significant growth fuelled by increased participation, strong club membership, and a recovery in golf tourism following the pandemic.

Golf-related consumer spending reached €703m, averaging €100 per head of population. Club memberships alone accounted for €143m, or 20% of all golf expenditure.

Golf directly supports approximately 15,600 jobs across Ireland, while the sport also delivers significant financial benefits to the public finances, generating €277.6m annually in taxes from consumption, income and corporate profits. This figure far exceeds the level of government grants received by the sector.

The research was carried out by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University for Golf Ireland in collaboration with world golfing body The R&A.

“These findings highlight golf’s major economic role here, underscoring our sport’s ability to drive growth and create employment across Ireland. Through initiatives like Get into Golf, Unleash Your Drive and iGolf, we are actively working to make golf more accessible and inclusive, ensuring its continued appeal,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.

“We are particularly encouraged by the growth in golf tourism and event attendance, which signals a strong future for golf as both a sport and a key driver of economic activity in communities throughout the island of Ireland.” Further economic benefits are on the horizon, with the Ryder Cup coming to Adare Manor in Co Limerick in 2027. Next month, The Open - one of golf’s four majors and the only one held in Europe - returns to Royal Portrush in Co Antrim, which is set to give the economy a further boost. In 2019, The 148th Open generated more than £100m (€117m) of economic benefit for Northern Ireland, according to an independent study commissioned by The R&A and conducted by the Sports Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University.

“The continuing strength of the golf sector throughout Ireland and the efforts of Golf Ireland to encourage more people to take up the sport are hugely impressive. The staging of global sporting events such as The Open can help to catalyse further growth in the sport and The R&A will continue to play its part in helping to maintain that momentum,” said The R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.

The report also identifies opportunities for future growth by encouraging higher female participation, investment in infrastructure, and leveraging Ireland’s international reputation as a golfing destination.

“The fundamentals are in place for future growth in economic impact, notably in the form of invisible exports from visitors coming to play or to watch golf,” said Sheffield Hallam University researcher Professor Simon Shibli, director of the Sport Industry Research Centre.