Golf Ireland study reveals over €700 Million boost to Irish Economy

Golf Ireland, in collaboration with The R&A, has unveiled new research which highlights golf’s substantial contribution to the Irish economy, amounting to €717 million annually in direct economic value and supporting 15,600 jobs.

Conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, the study outlines the extensive economic impact golf has across Ireland. It covers areas such as consumer spending, Gross Value Added (GVA), employment and tax revenues.

The report indicates that in 2023, golf activities contributed €717 million in direct economic value (Gross Value Added – GVA), marking significant growth fuelled by increased participation, strong club membership, and a recovery in golf tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Golf-related consumer spending reached €703 million, averaging €100 per head of population. Club memberships alone accounted for €143 million, or 20% of all golf expenditure, highlighting golf’s ongoing popularity among players of all ages.

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

“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.”

With The Open returning to Royal Portrush next month the economy is set to receive a further boost. In 2019, The 148th Open generated more than £100 million 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.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We have seen the benefits that golf brings in many other parts of the world but what this research makes clear is that golf makes a substantial contribution to the economy of Ireland and positively impacts the wider community in numerous ways.

“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.”

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

“Golf is a significant industry in Ireland, which might otherwise go under the radar were it not for the Satellite Account research,” said Professor Simon Shibli, Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University.

“It is an industry that has grown impressively since our 2017 study, based on 2014 data. 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.”