Golf clubs report boost in interest in the sport during the pandemic

The pandemic smashed many sports last year – but golf has seen a big upward swing in interest.

Mitchell Goldner, of Novar Gardens, watches Nick Vaananen, of Lockleys, play at Westward Ho Golf Club in West Beach. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Golf clubs have enjoyed an upswing in interest during the pandemic, particularly from young people who for months last year were unable to play contact sports.

Clubs say people having more free time because they are working from home and travelling less has also helped increase traffic on the fairways.

Golf Australia state manager for SA Christian Puccini said the number of rounds being played at clubs across SA in 2020 was up 10 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Puccini attributed the rise on golf – unlike contact sports such as football and netball – being allowed to continue to be played throughout most of the pandemic.

“One of the key parts of golf is getting clubs in people’s hands,” Mr Puccini said.

“If they get a taste, they may go off for a while but they tend to come back.”

He said it wasn’t just adults taking up the sport, with the My Golf program for children aged five to 12 enjoying a 20 per cent rise in 2020, compared with the previous year.

Glenelg Golf Club general manager Robert Vincekovic said the Novar Gardens club had a waiting list for the first time in 15 years,

Mitchell Goldner and Nick Vaananen have recently taken up golf. Picture: Brenton Edwards

He said a lot of the interest had come from younger people, with the club’s average age dropping from 59 to 55 during the pandemic.

“While that does not sound like a lot, across 1400 members to drop your average by four years is a lot,” Mr Vincekovic said.

“They took up golf, they enjoy it and so they stay.”

Westward Ho Golf Club general manager Steven Freeling said there had been about a 15 per cent increase in membership at the West Beach club during COVID.

He said many of these new members were males aged 18 to 40.

Kooyonga Golf Club general manager Brett Lewis said in July and August last year, the number of rounds being played at the course spiked about 35 per cent.

Tea Tree Gully Golf Club marketing co-ordinator Sue Tuk said the rise in interest in the sport was spilling over into 2021, with the club continuing to attract new members.

“We have had about an eight per cent increase (in members) since COVID hit in March,” Ms Tuk said.

Mitchell Goldner, 23, became a member at Westward Ho Golf Club in December.

“I think it’s really challenging and you get to get out with your friends for a few hours and have a hit and a chat,” Mr Goldner, of Novar Gardens, said.