'Game is thriving' - Huge rise in scores registered by Scottish golfers in 2025

Golf in Scotland is “thriving”, according to the game’s governing body in its birthplace on the strength of 2025 having been a record year for golfers submitting scores through the World Handicap System™.

Scottish golfers submitted more WHS scores last year than ever before | Scottish Golf

Scottish Golf has revealed that over two millions scores were submitted through WHS last year, with “significant levels of growth” in all categories of play.

Scottish golfers submitted more WHS scores last year than ever before | Scottish Golf

The total number of scores registered was 2,039,119, which represented an overall 14 per cent rise in the number of scores posted in 2025 compared to 2024.

The total number of scores posted by females shot up by 14 per cent, with 9-hole scores growing by 20 per cent and General Play scores 32 per cent up on the previous 12 months.

“These figures – across the board - are fantastic and show that golf in Scotland is thriving,” said Scottish Golf CEO Robbie Clyde. “It’s brilliant to have such momentum as we head into 2026.”

Competition scores totalled 1,422,435 (up 86,922) while General Play scores rose by more than 166,000 to 616,684. May was the busiest month for play with 353,667 rounds submitted while Saturday 3 May was the busiest single day with 27,795 scores submitted.

Golf now ‘more flexible and accessible than ever before’

“I firmly believe golf is Scotland’s national sport and the levels of play that we have seen in the past year clearly demonstrates that golf remains a passion – perhaps even an obsession - for many of us!” added Clyde.

“The growth of 9-hole golf, a healthy rise in scores submitted by female golfers and access to General Play scoring shows that golf is more flexible and accessible than ever before.”