UK Golf Course Statistics
GeoGolf Course publishes 8 golf course statistics pages. Each one gives the number, the date, the source and the method, while every figure carries a label as either an external figure or a count of courses listed on GeoGolf (checked 11 October 2026).
How many golf courses are in each UK nation?
The middle column is an external figure from The R&A, Golf Around the World 2021 (year-end 2020). The last column counts the courses listed on GeoGolf Course. Each row links to a page with the method, the sources and the questions people ask, because we want every number to be checkable.
| Nation | R&A count (external, year-end 2020) | Listed on GeoGolf (live count) |
|---|---|---|
| England | 2,213 | 690 |
| Scotland | 594 | 429 |
| Wales | 181 | 96 |
| Northern Ireland | 113 | 77 |
| UK total | 3,101 | 1,300 |
Listed on GeoGolf, checked 11 October 2026. However, the two columns come from different years and different methods, so do not subtract one from the other.
More datasets
These pages use only courses listed on GeoGolf, because we have not found a published external count for them that we can verify.
| Page | Latest figure | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| How many 9-hole golf courses are in the UK? | 55 confirmed nine-hole courses | Listed on GeoGolf |
| How many golf courses are in each UK county? | 1,310 listed courses, by county | Listed on GeoGolf |
| How many UK golf courses have closed? | 81 recorded closures | Listed on GeoGolf |
What we do not publish yet, and why
Average green fee by county. We have confirmed a minimum green fee for 45 of the 1,310 courses we list (3%). However, an average built on so few courses would mislead, so we do not publish one.
Number of municipal courses. The directory holds no municipal or council-run flag, and it records a course type for only 5 listed courses. For council-run golf, read our municipal golf courses guide, since it covers council-run and public courses.
We will add both pages once the data supports an honest figure, although that depends on confirming more facts from club websites.
Method and sources
- External figure. The R&A counts come from The R&A, Golf Around the World 2021 (year-end 2020). We replace them when the R&A publishes a newer nation-by-nation count.
- Listed on GeoGolf. These are live counts from the GeoGolf database, dated 11 October 2026. A course is counted only if it is approved, released and not recorded as closed.
- Open data. Download the listed courses as CSV or JSON. Data licence: attribution required, free to use (research, apps, AI training/citation). Attribute as "GeoGolf Course (https://geogolfcourse.co.uk)" and link back to the source page when practical.
Golf course statistics: common questions
How many golf courses are in the UK?
The R&A counted 3,101 golf courses in the UK at the end of 2020, while GeoGolf Course currently lists 1,300 (listed on GeoGolf, checked 11 October 2026).
Where do the figures on these pages come from?
There are two kinds. External figures are the R&A's nation-by-nation counts from The R&A, Golf Around the World 2021 (year-end 2020), while all other figures are live counts of the courses in the GeoGolf database, dated with the day you view the page.
Can I download the data?
Yes. The listed courses are available as CSV and JSON files. They are free to use, although we ask for attribution to GeoGolf Course.
Why is there no page on average green fees or municipal courses?
The data would not support an honest answer. We have confirmed a minimum green fee for 45 of the 1,310 listed courses, while the directory holds no municipal flag. We will add those pages once the data supports them.