A provocative theory from a popular Australian presenter has ignited conversation around the nation's remarkable surge in golf participation, which has seen an incredible four million new players take up the sport in just twelve months.
Bickmore's Blunt Assessment on Family Time
Speaking on the Carrie and Tommy radio show on LISTNR this Monday, glamorous presenter and mother-of-three Carrie Bickmore offered a candid explanation for the trend. She suggested the upswing in Australian men embracing golf is fundamentally driven by a desire to get away from their wives and families.
"Of course, they (men) are just running away from their families," Bickmore stated. "This has been going on for decades... I've had my friends lose their husbands to golf for 15 years now." She highlighted the time-consuming nature of the game, noting it takes "hours" to play a round.
The former Gold Logie winner then questioned her co-host, comedian Tommy Little, on whether the primary attraction was the sanctioned "time away from families" or the fact golf doesn't demand participants to be "overly athletic."
Unprecedented Growth Numbers Revealed
Bickmore's comments were a direct response to headline-grabbing statistics from the 2024/25 Golf Club Participation Report. The findings are nothing short of extraordinary for the sport in Australia.
The report shows that participation numbers on greens across the country continue to climb sharply. It revealed that one in every five adult Australians played on a course, at a driving range, on a simulator, or at a mini-golf venue in the past year.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland hailed the data as a "defining milestone," marking the first time the sport has surpassed four million players. He emphasised that the growth reflects a sport in the midst of a significant transformation.
A Sport Evolving for Modern Lifestyles
Sutherland pointed to new audiences, fresh formats, and increased accessibility as key drivers. "The data shows that growth is coming from younger and more diverse communities," he said. "Golf isn't just growing, it's evolving as more Australians than ever find a version of the game that suits their lifestyle."
Several factors are credited with fuelling this boom. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have played a massive part, with reels and clips promoting golf as a fun and stylish activity, leading to a skyrocketing interest among those aged 18 to 40.
Practical changes within the industry have also proved crucial. The rise of cheaper annual memberships, the availability of shorter round formats, and an increase in public access courses have made the game more appealing and attainable for a broader demographic than ever before.
