Youth Sports See Surge in Golf and Tennis
Participation in golf and tennis saw significant growth among U.S. children between 2019 and 2025.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Youth
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Between 2019 and 2025, participation in golf and tennis spiked significantly among American youth. This trend contributed to overall organized sports involvement reaching a 12-year high of 58% by 2024.
Why it matters
Remote work habits encouraged families to seek outdoor physical activities during the pandemic, while pop culture and digital creators boosted interest in golf. Meanwhile, innovations like night golf and indoor simulators helped modernize the sports to better engage younger players.
Tennis participation for children aged 6-12 grew by 72%, while golf participation for the same age group rose by 55% from 2019 to 2025. Additionally, Youth on Course membership reached 450,000 in 2026.
The players
Youth on Course
This organization provides affordable access to golf courses for young people across the United States.
The details
Golf courses responded to changing interest by implementing shorter rounds and night play, while indoor simulators allowed for more informal game options. Conversely, tackle football saw a decline in participation, dropping by 7% for children aged 6-12 and 3% for those aged 13-17.
Timeline
Youth participation in golf and tennis increased between 2019 and 2025.
More than three million Americans tried golf for the first time annually from 2020 through 2025.
Organized sports participation among youth rose to 49% in 2021.
Youth organized sports participation reached 58% in 2024.
Youth on Course membership grew to 450,000 by 2026.
Culture Shift
This trend mirrors the broader 12-year high in overall youth sports participation recorded in 2024, reflecting a shift in how modern families allocate their recreational time. It also highlights the growing influence of digital content creators and modern amenities in reshaping traditional sports culture.
Families may find it easier to book shorter golf rounds or access night-play facilities as more courses adopt these formats. However, participation decreased in 2025 for children in households earning $25,000 or less, suggesting barriers to entry remain for lower-income families.
The takeaway
The rise of golf and tennis among young people demonstrates how accessibility and technological integration can successfully modernize traditional sports. Families looking to get started may benefit from exploring local Youth on Course programs to lower costs and increase playtime.
Further reading
For more on evolving athletic trends, see the Youth section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Front Office Sports.
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