Patterns in the Growth of Golf Clubs

The graphs below, based on the data The Centenary gathered, reveal a fascinating story about the evolution of golf. From the 1700s through the early 1800s, the establishment of new golf clubs was rare, reflecting golf’s highly localised origins in Scotland.

A sharp surge begins in the late 1880s, peaking dramatically in the early 1890s, a period often referred to as golf’s "first golden age." The year 1895 stands out as the year when the highest number of new golf clubs were founded — 82 in total. This explosion coincides with the expansion of the British Empire, the rise of the middle class, and improved rail transport, all of which helped spread the sport across the English-speaking world.

A second major spike appears in the early 1900s, particularly around 1905–1910, as golf solidified its global appeal — notably in North America, Australia, and continental Europe.

But in 1914, we see a sharp drop, reflecting the outbreak of World War I, which halted much leisure activity and redirected resources toward the war effort. Interestingly, a brief postwar boom follows around 1920–1922, as countries rebuilt and clubs re-emerged in a changing world.

Both graphs offer more than numbers — they capture the social, economic, and geopolitical forces that shaped the global rise of golf as we know it today.