Going into 2025, the outlook for Irish golf tourism looks bright, supported by impressive growth figures and strategic initiatives put in place to attract international visitors.

With a rich heritage of golf courses and stunning views, Ireland remains one of the most popular destinations for golfers worldwide.

Current State of Golf Tourism

By 2023, Ireland will have welcomed close to 250,000 golf tourists and raked in an incredible €500 million in revenue, far above the original estimates of €300 million. This uptick in numbers encompasses a number of factors, including a strong dollar that made the trip to Ireland more attractive to American golfers, who make up about 70-80% of the market.

While they are likely to spend three times more than the average leisure tourist, their money benefits local economies in accommodation, dining, and transportation. Leisure tourists may enjoy things like social casinos or sightseeing, but active tourists - such as those visiting golf courses - contribute directly to the local economy. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that each person has their own preference.

Despite the presence of inflation, the golf tourism industry has remained resilient. While prices have increased for both tourists and service providers in Ireland due to their strong economic position, high-net-worth U.S. citizens are less sensitive to price increases. This has led to an average spend of around €2,000 per golfer, with daily spending reaching around €1,1541.

Economic Impact

Golf tourism is an important contributor to maintaining employment and activating local economies all over Ireland. According to Fáilte Ireland, the contribution of golf visitors extends to ancillary services that benefit significantly from their patronage. Indeed, every golfer's money spent strengthens related industries like hospitality and transportation, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

In Northern Ireland, the value of golf tourism alone reached £68.2 million in 2023, a significant rise compared to previous years3. Hosting successful events like The Open Championship has added to Northern Ireland's reputation as a world-class golf destination. In 2025, The Open returns to Royal Portrush and is set to attract more visitors and investment.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the positive trends in golf tourism, challenges remain. One significant issue is the limited availability of tee times at popular courses like Ballybunion and Lahinch. High-demand periods from May through September often see these coveted slots booked well in advance, leading to potential frustrations for tourists seeking access. The less famous courses find it very difficult to encourage visitors to play when they come to play the well-known links, according to Barry Maye of the Irish Golf Tour Operator Association.

Moreover, the increased operational costs inside the hospitality industry make the operator's work challenging. Most of the hotels have been able to increase their room rates due to increased demand; however, inflation and energy costs are expected to compress their profitability. Overcoming these challenges is bound to sustain growth in the sector.

Strategic Pathways to Growth

With the increasing interest in Irish golf tourism, organizations such as Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are trying to capitalize on the demand by focusing their strategic marketing efforts on diversifying the visitor experience beyond traditional trophy courses. Their efforts include promoting lesser-known but equally stunning courses set amidst the regions of Northwest and Northeast Ireland.

There is also an emerging interest in sustainable tourism practices that appeal to the modern traveller's tastes for authenticity. Among the tourists, an emerging desire is 'to experience' the culture and heritage of places they visit. This will bring about better packages for attracting a more significant number of stakeholders by ensuring diverse experiences on the history and traditions of Ireland combined with golfing.

Future Projections

Looking ahead to 2030, Tourism Ireland has ambitious plans to grow overseas tourism revenue from €6.4 billion in 2023 to €9 billion by 2030. This represents an average annual growth rate of 6.5%, underpinned by a continued investment in marketing and product development directed at international golfers.

This means that the international market for golf tourism will grow from $5.83 billion in 2024 to $6.28 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 7.8%, reflecting the strong demand for golfing experiences around the world.