Golf is no longer your grandfather’s pastime. According to Yelp’s 2026 Trend Forecast, the sport is on the brink of a cultural takeover—driven not by seasoned country-club members, but by beginners, women, and Gen Z players looking for community, wellness, and something fun to do offline.

The numbers paint a clear picture: Searches for golf for beginners are up 809 percent, golf practice facility searches are up 215 percent, and interest in cheap golf courses has jumped 58 percent. But the biggest surge comes from people looking to play shorter, more casual rounds—with searches for 9-hole courses up a staggering 1,220 percent.

Across the board, the sport is becoming more social, more accessible, and more affordable. As Yelp notes, everything from women-led meetups like Swang Collectiv

See Full Page