[Photo: Golf Australia]
Australian golf is preparing for its next phase of growth, with the industry uniting behind a new national strategy to modernise the game and make it more accessible to a broader range of Australians.
Launched at Golf Park Adelaide, BIG SWINGS 2026–2030: The Next Evolution of Golf in Australia outlines a five-year plan designed to grow participation, strengthen facilities and reshape how Australians engage with the sport. The strategy brings together clubs, PGA Professionals, venue operators and industry leaders around a shared goal: building a version of golf that better reflects how people play today.
And increasingly, that version of golf looks very different from the traditional image of the game.
More than four million Australians now participate in golf in some form, whether that is on-course play, driving ranges, simulator venues or social entertainment formats. Off-course venues have doubled since the industry’s inaugural strategy was launched, while participation continues to rise among younger and more diverse audiences seeking flexible, social and experience-led ways to play.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said the sport had evolved more rapidly in the past five years than at any other point in its history.
“What started as a belief that all golf is golf is now how Australians actually play,” Sutherland said. “Around one in four adults are engaging with the game across courses, ranges, simulators and social formats.”
The strategy is built around three central pillars: EVOLVE, BELONG and CONNECT. Together, they are designed to help golf facilities adapt to modern expectations, create a stronger sense of inclusion across the game and connect one million more golfers to the sport over the next five years.
At the heart of the strategy are three Big Swings that will guide the industry over the next five years:
- EVOLVE – Supporting all 1,800+ golf courses and facilities to adapt to the needs of the modern golfing customer, delivering more flexible, accessible and high-quality experiences.
- BELONG – Ensuring 100% of people in the golf community feel they belong, with a strong focus on welcoming women, families and under-represented groups.
- CONNECT – Linking one million more golfers across the game, making it easier to learn, play and stay engaged for life.
Today’s new golfer is younger, more diverse, and often enters the sport through driving ranges, simulator venues, and beginner programs rather than traditional club membership pathways. Expectations around flexibility, accessibility and social connection are reshaping how facilities approach participation and retention.
Sutherland said the strategy was focused not only on growing the game but also on improving the quality of people’s experiences within it.
“The goal is simple: more Australians experiencing the benefits of golf more often,” he said. “But this isn’t just about growth. It’s about how we grow, by creating places where people genuinely feel they belong and connecting more people to the game for life.”
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said collaboration across every level of the industry would be essential to successfully delivering the strategy.
“This is a strategy for the whole of golf,” Kirkman said. “From PGA Professionals shaping everyday golfer experiences, to clubs and venues delivering them, every part of the game has a role to play.”
The roadmap also focuses heavily on improving the overall golfer experience, from participation pathways and facility upgrades to technology and long-term engagement.
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said the industry had a major opportunity to better reflect modern Australia.
“We are seeing more women, more families and more diverse communities engaging with the game than ever before,” Lunn said. “This strategy is about making sure they feel welcomed, included and that they truly belong in golf.”
The strategy was developed through one of the largest consultation processes undertaken within Australian golf, including more than 12,000 public survey responses and extensive engagement with industry stakeholders nationwide.
As the industry moves from planning into implementation, the focus now shifts to activation, turning the strategy into practical changes across clubs, facilities and participation programs around the country.
