Which Country Has the Most Golf Courses in the World?

Golf is a sport that is gaining popularity worldwide, with more people taking an interest in the game since the emergence of COVID-19 than in the years prior. As the sport continues to expand in popularity, one may wonder about the number of golf courses in the world. In this article, let’s discover the distribution of golf courses around the world and which country has the most impressive number of courses.

How Many Golf Courses Are There in the World?

According to the latest R&A “Golf Around the World” data, there are roughly 38,400 golf courses active today, spanning 206 different countries. It sounds like a massive spread, but the reality is that the game is still heavily weighted toward a few specific regions. About 80% of those courses are packed into the top ten markets, mostly the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, and a handful of European nations.

A golf course in the USA

Which Country Has the Most Courses?

The U.S. is the heavy hitter here. With more than 16,000 courses, it claims about 42% of the world’s total supply. Even with that many places to play, the sheer size of the country means they’re spread pretty thin, statistically, you’re looking at only 0.004 courses for every square mile. It’s a massive footprint, but one that’s stretched across a lot of empty space.

Below is the list of 20 countries that have the most golf courses in the world (2026 Updated):

Which Country is the Most Golf-Centric?

The density of golf courses in a country relative to its total land area is a significant measure, and in this regard, the United Kingdom emerges as the clear winner.

UK golf course

England boasts a golf course every 22.8 square miles, Wales has one every 43.5 square miles, Northern Ireland has one every 48.3 square miles, and Scotland has one every 50.6 square miles. Surprisingly, the United States, despite its vast landmass, has a much lower density with one golf course located every 235 square miles, similar to Australia’s landmass, which has a course every 1,875 square miles.

Among the most golf-centric countries is Japan, owing to its relatively small landmass, with a course density of one every 46.5 square miles, which is second only to England in terms of density.

How Many Golf Players Worldwide?

According to the latest state by the Global Participation Report, there are 108 million golf players worldwide, witnessing an increase of almost million since 2023. In Asia, golf players also reached a number of more than 22 million, creating a significant development for this sport in the region.

How Many Golf Courses in Vietnam?

Currently, there are about 80 18-hole golf courses in Vietnam open to the public. This number is expected to strongly increase in the next few years.

Ba Na Hills Golf Club

The first golf course to be constructed in Vietnam is the Dalat Palace Golf Club, located in Ba Na Hills’ foothills – Da Nang, built in 1920 and exists through many historical changes in the country. The largest golf course at the moment is the Royal Golf Club in Tam Diep district, Ninh Binh province. It spreads over an area of 670 hectares and includes 3 18-hole layouts.

Other beautiful Vietnam’s golf courses can be named the BRG King’s Island Golf Club, Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club, Sky Lake Golf Resort, Montgomerie Links Vietnam, Hoiana Shores, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Vietnam Golf & Country Club, etc.

By the end of 2026/2027 and in the years to follow, more and more golf courses worldwide will be built to serve the growing golf population. It is not only good for the sport itself but also adds to the tourism development of a country. As golf traveling is becoming more popular, countries with numerous and breathtaking golf courses in the world will gain a great advantage.

Read more:

• Must-Play Vietnam PGA Golf Courses in 2026/2027
• 15+ Best Golf Courses in Vietnam 2026
• Top 10 Toughest Golf Courses in Vietnam