There are no areas of human endeavour where “Millennials” are not having an impact. One sport that is being heavily impacted from a negative perspective is golf.

This is according to Matt Powell who represents the industry research firm NPD. He states that Millennials aren’t into golf. “From the golf industry statistics, we know that rounds are down, we know that Millennials are not picking up the game, and boomers are aging out, the game is in decline,” he says.

He feels that the sport is not on par with the up-and-coming consumers it desperately needs to attract: Millennials and Gen Z. According to the U.S. based National Golf Foundation, more people are trying out the game for the first time; however, overall golf participation is declining, with numbers more in line with the pre-Tiger Woods figure we saw in 1995.

The golf culture does not identify with Millennials, who have an affinity for outdoor activities and shared experiences such as camping, climbing, and backpacking; nor does the sport distinguish itself among the Gen Z’s, who like team sports as well as activities that mirror the Millennials. Golf as we know it is quite the opposite of what these generations seek, and contradicts a number of their core values that relate to speed of play, high cost of play, the game’s exclusivity, complex rules of play and the lack of diversity.

The challenge posed by Millennials will be one of the key topics of discussion at the 2016 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. Present at APGS will be best-selling author and expert on marketing to Millennials, Gabriel Aluisy. Here are some of his thoughts on how the golf industry can tackle the challenge.

A Sport in Decline

Matt Powell, an analyst with industry research firm NPD, points out that golf is struggling to engage the Millennial generation.

“From the golf industry statistics, we know that rounds are down, we know that Millennials are not picking up the game, and Boomers are aging out — the game is in decline,” he says.

This demographic shift poses a significant problem. As Baby Boomers, traditionally the sport’s largest and most dedicated player base, begin to leave the game due to age, younger generations are not stepping in to replace them.

A Changing Consumer Base

Powell emphasizes that golf is not in alignment with the expectations and values of today’s up-and-coming consumers — particularly Millennials and Gen Z. According to data from the U.S.-based National Golf Foundation, while more people are trying the sport for the first time, total participation continues to shrink. In fact, the numbers have dropped back to levels similar to those seen before Tiger Woods’ explosive popularity boom in the late 1990s.

Why Millennials Aren’t Buying In

So why exactly is golf losing its grip on younger generations?

Golf culture traditionally emphasizes individual competition, long hours of play, high costs, strict dress codes, and exclusive membership — elements that stand in contrast to the preferences of Millennials. This generation tends to favor:

• Outdoor social experiences like camping, climbing, and backpacking
• Activities with a lower cost of entry
• Inclusive environments with diverse participation
• Fast-paced and accessible sports

Gen Z shares many of these preferences but also tends to enjoy team sports and more digitally integrated experiences. Golf, as it currently exists, often fails to deliver on these expectations.

Addressing the Generational Gap

The challenge posed by this shift in consumer interest will be a major topic at the 2016 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS). The summit will feature keynote speaker Gabriel Aluisy, a best-selling author and expert on Millennial marketing.

Aluisy believes the key to golf’s revival lies in adapting the sport to align with Millennial values. This could mean:

• Reimagining the format of the game (e.g., shorter, faster rounds)
• Reducing costs through more accessible public facilities
• Fostering community and inclusivity rather than exclusivity
• Incorporating technology and social media to engage digital natives
• Creating experiences, not just competitions, around the game

A Way Forward for Golf

If the golf industry wants to survive and thrive in the coming decades, it must evolve. Attracting Millennials and Gen Z will require more than marketing — it demands structural changes to the sport itself. The conversation sparked at APGS could be a turning point, but action must follow insight.

As Powell and Aluisy suggest, the future of golf will depend on its ability to adapt — or risk fading into irrelevance.