If you want the simplest, quickest answer to what state plays the most golf, it’s Florida. But that’s a bit like saying the tallest person in the room is the best basketball player - it doesn’t tell the whole story. This article will break down how most golf can be measured in a few different, and frankly more interesting, ways, from total rounds played to which states have the most genuinely golf-obsessed populations.
As a golf coach, I’ve learned that stats can be misleading if you don’t have context. When we ask, "What state plays the most golf?" we’re really asking a few different questions at the same time:
Each question reveals a different truth about the golf landscape in America. The answer you’re looking for depends on what you value as a golfer: year-round sunshine, a community of dedicated players, or sheer accessibility. Let’s look at the champions for each category.
When it comes to the raw, eye-popping numbers, two states consistently stand in a league of their own: Florida and California. According to data from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), these states tower over all others in the total number of rounds played annually.
This isn’t surprising. Both states boast massive populations and, for the most part, climates that allow for nearly year-round golf. Florida, in particular, is the undisputed heavyweight, with a golf economy that supports a staggering number of courses and attracts countless golf tourists every year.
Playing golf in a high-volume state like Florida has its pros and cons. On the bright side, you have an incredible variety of courses to choose from. From legendary PGA TOUR stops like Bay Hill and Sawgrass to hundreds of local public courses, you’ll never get bored. The infrastructure is there, and you can find a game any day of the year.
The downside? Busy tee sheets. You're competing for a tee time with locals, snowbirds, and vacationers. It also means you need to learn how to play on very specific grasses, like the grainy Bermuda found all over the Sunshine State. If your short game is built for bentgrass greens up north, you'll need to make some adjustments. Your little bump-and-runs might not work when the grain of the grass is growing against you, you'll have to be more aggressive and hit your chips with more authority to get the ball to the hole.
While states like Texas and Arizona also post huge numbers, Florida is the clear champion of playing the most golf, period. But it's not the only way to measure a state's love for the game.
Here’s where the conversation gets really interesting. If you take the total rounds played and divide it by the state’s population, you get a measure of participation - or what I like to call the "obsession" factor. When you look at it this way, a whole new group of champions emerge. Say hello to the Upper Midwest.
Year after year, the states with the most golf rounds played per capita are often:
How is it that states with brutal winters and a five-month golf season dominate this list? It’s simple: scarcity creates passion. When you only have from May to September to play, you cram in every possible round you can. The golfers in these states are a different breed. They'll play in 40-degree weather with three layers on in April and celebrate the final crisp rounds of October like a holiday.
The dedication here is astounding. These aren't just fair-weather golfers. This is a culture built around maximizing the season. You'll see league play every night of the week, packed courses on weekends, and a general appreciation for the game that feels more intense than in places where it can be taken for granted.
Furthermore, Wisconsin and Michigan are home to some of the greatest public and resort golf destinations in America. Think about it: a regular golfer in Wisconsin can play courses that have hosted Ryder Cups and U.S. Opens, like Whistling Straits and Erin Hills. In Michigan, you have epic destinations like Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes. These incredible, accessible public courses elevate the entire golf culture. Playing these big, windswept courses requires a powerful, rotational swing - you can’t just stand there and swing with your arms. You need to use your body as an engine to power through the wind, just like we teach in the fundamental setup of a good golf swing.
So, if you’re looking for the state where the average person is most likely to be a die-hard golfer, don’t look south. Look to the resilient, passionate players of the Midwest.
The final way to look at this question is through accessibility. After all, you can't play if there isn't a course nearby. We can measure this in two ways: total number of facilities and courses per person.
Again, this category is dominated by the big states. Florida and California lead the pack with the most golf facilities. With over 1,200 and 900 facilities respectively, the sheer abundance of options is unmatched. New York and Michigan also rank high on this list, blending large populations with a strong golfing tradition.
Just like with rounds played, the per capita numbers tell a different story. If you're looking for the state where a golf course is easiest to find relative to the population, the leader is clear: Iowa. But close behind are, once again, the golf-crazy states of North and South Dakota.
What does this mean? It means golf in these states is deeply embedded in the community fabric. Courses are affordable, accessible, and less crowded. It’s less about exclusive destinations and more about golf being a regular, recreational part of life for everyone. This aligns with the fundamental spirit of golf: a game that anyone can play. The more accessible courses are, the healthier the game is.
So, while Florida plays the highest volume of golf, making it the simple answer, the more nuanced truth is that states in the Upper Midwest like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas can be considered home to America's most passionate golfers. Ultimately, the "best" state for golf truly depends on whether you seek year-round play and endless variety or want to join a community where the love for the game runs incredibly deep.
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