Benelux, the 4th largest golf market in Europe

The Benelux countries are in the 4th position for Golf in Europe, after England, Germany and Sweden, before France.

In 2015, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg counted together 451,863 registered golfers, according to the study on ‘golf participation in Europe in 2015’, developed by KPMG in collaboration with the European Golf Association. 10.8% of all registered golfers in Europe are living in the Benelux. 

The Netherlands are considered a ‘developed’ market for golf, holding on their own the 5th position in Europe. Belgium is presenting a ‘growing’ golf market, thanks to remarkable efforts of the Flemish Golf Federation to attract more new golfers to the game in Flanders.

Over the years, many initiatives have been taken by golf associations to popularize the game among women and juniors. Remarkable is the fact that The Netherlands are the second market, after Germany, in terms of total numbers of female golfers in Europe. 32% of golfers in The Netherlands are women. Also in Belgium and Luxemburg, the participation rate of women is high with 30% of all golfers. While The Netherlands have fewer junior players, Belgium and Luxemburg have a good result of respectively 11% and 14% of junior golfers.
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Important conclusions can be made for Travel. Couples and families from Benelux may be likely to play golf during holidays. Belgian travelers are known to be fond of luxury as well as food and wine. Holiday providers have interest to consider the Benelux as an important target for Golf holidays.