Scotland's golf clubs embrace drive to promote participation

Run by Scottish Golf, programmes such as junior flag championships, GolfSixes and GolfNines are being delivered as part of the governing body’s pledge to support affiliated clubs.

Juniors are set for a busy summer taking part in Scottish Golf programmes

In 2025, the total playing membership at clubs in the home of golf rose by just over 11,000 to 220,210, marking the biggest growth for four years since an upturn following the Covid pandemic. The figure for junior boys was the standout statistic, jumping by 28.2 per cent thanks to a staggering rise of 6,075 players.

According to Scottish Golf, statistics for its junior programmes in 2026 are already “hugely encouraging”, which could help deliver another increase in club memberships.

“It’s fantastic to see momentum build and record numbers of sign-ups as we work together with our member clubs to develop the next generation of players,” said

Fraser Crawford, Scottish Golf’s participation manager.

“Across the board, clubs are engaging with our National Junior Framework, disability programmes and women and girls’ strategy to help bring more people into Scotland’s national sport. We know that clubs engaging in our programmes see junior membership growth 2.3 times greater than clubs who are not.”

Clubs taking part in GolfSixes, an abbreviated and fun format of the traditional game, have risen to 169 from 151 in 2025. This year will see the first year of a full roll-out of GolfNines with a notable number of areas/regions and GolfSixes leagues now embracing GolfNines and delivering at local level.

Scottish Golf, meanwhile, will this year run 12 regional GolfNines leagues and, additionally, will host three national events.

A total of 78 clubs in rural or island communities who do not have a PGA pro attached to their facility have taken advantage of Scottish Golf’s Roving Pro Fund.

In addition, affiliated golf clubs have also been able to source new funding for 2026 from Scottish Golf for women’s and girls’ activities, with a total of 47 clubs securing Get into Golf funding of £400 to boost a girls’ starter programmes.

At the next level of development, 14 clubs have successfully applied for up to £1000 of funding provided by Scottish Golf in partnership with the Golf Foundation. Five golf clubs at a more advanced stage of their girls’ development plan will each receive £1500 to enhance and grow their offer.

“Together with the small army of volunteers at our clubs who do so much to support grassroots golf, we aim to encourage the players who are getting into golf to develop a lifelong love of the sport and to discover the many sporting, social and health benefits associated with our great game,” added Crawford.