What Stops Golfers Playing More Often

Consider the lifestyle of your dreams - just how much would golf be part of it? There's no doubt that many of you would gladly play every day if that was possible, but reality, unfortunately, gets in the way and prevents a significant number of golfers from consuming as much of this game as they desire.

Surveying 1,200 golfers in June 2025, we asked them whether they played as often as they would like. Breaking down the findings, 75% of those aged over 65 got as much golf in as they wished, while that number dropped down to 57% for those between the ages of 55 and 64. 

However, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was younger golfers, those aged under 55, who were the most frustrated, with just 38% of them playing as much golf as they would ideally hope for.

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What stops those golfers - of all ages - from playing more often and getting the most from this game?

Our survey has uncovered several factors to explain why many of us are always left wanting a little bit more.

Lack of Time

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

This was comfortably the most cited reason for why golfers didn't play more frequently. It goes without saying that golf is a time-consuming sport, easily requiring a minimum of four hours if you wish to play 18 holes in a four-ball, which doesn't take into account travelling to and from the course, not to mention any additional social or practice time before or after the round.

For those who have work obligations or family commitments, it can be hard to justify the time spent on the golf course. Others also have other hobbies to prioritise.

But no matter your age and circumstances, if you have other things in the way, it can be a challenge for anyone to find adequate time to make allowances for a round of golf.

It's fair to say that for golfers - the clock is against us!

Health Issues & Injuries

One of the best things about golf is that it's accessible to players of all ages and physical abilities, but health issues and injuries can come between us and the game that we love.

Many of the golfers who responded to our survey commented that injury, illness, disability, or age were major limitations that stopped them from playing more often.

From personal experience, before treatment largely got things under control, my golf was limited for a time due to arthritis in my hands.

Poor or Unpredictable Weather

Golf is an outdoor sport - meaning that we have to accept what the elements give us, but there are times when things become unplayable or unappealing.

If you're someone who lives in the UK or Ireland, or indeed any climate in the north, it can often be too cold or wet to play, especially throughout the winter, while even during summer, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms can make playing golf difficult.

A significant number of golfers don't play anywhere near all 12 months of the year, meaning that we can often be left unsatisfied for a significant period of the season.

Cost & Affordability

There is a perception that golf is becoming increasingly expensive, and when you see the impact of inflation, rising membership costs and green fees, it's hard to argue against that belief.

We recently covered the staggering jump in green fees during recent years - which has undeniably had an effect on those golfers who love playing a wide variety of courses.

While membership is generally robust across the UK, further subscription increases may discourage some golfers from signing up for the next season which would reduce their ability to play frequently.

Tee Time Access & Booking Issues

You could be a club member who wishes to play often, but securing a tee time is an obstacle for many. This was another main topic from the survey as availability is pressured by high membership numbers, visitors, society bookings and competition dates, meaning that it can be a challenge to grasp a place on the golf course when you can.

This is especially true for those peak times during weekends, which can be the only realistic window that a large proportion of the golfing population is available.

Lack of Playing Partners

Golf is an adaptable game, while it's fundamentally an individual sport, it's also a highly social one, and if you don't have a regular playing partner, or your friends have reduced their own availability, that could discourage golfers from playing as they don't fancy playing alone or don't feel comfortable joining other groups.

What Stops Golfers Playing More Often?

It's clear that the majority of golfers would play more often if they could, but work and family pressures, a lack of time, health and injury problems, the cost that accompanies the game and tee time availability are all factors that prevent many players from getting the absolute most from the game.

Several of these issues are unfixable (we can't yet control the weather!), but the introduction of flexible memberships and course layouts, featuring more nine and 12-hole routings, more democratic booking systems and a greater consideration for those who wish to play alone or socially, could be part of a comprehensive, wide-ranging solution to ensure that more of you play more often than you currently do.

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