Ever get the urge to play a round only to find every tee time at your local courses is completely booked for the next week? You’re not imagining things. Golf courses are more crowded today than they have been in decades. This article breaks down exactly why courses are overflowing with players and gives you actionable, coach-approved advice for navigating the new reality of a packed tee sheet so you can still enjoy your time on the fairways.
The single biggest factor driving the crowds is the massive surge in popularity that started in 2020. When the world shut down, golf was one of the very few activities that was both safe and accessible. It provided a much-needed escape, combining physical activity, mental challenge, and a safe way to socialize outdoors.
This "pandemic boom" wasn't a temporary blip, it fundamentally changed the landscape of the game. Millions of new and returning players rediscovered their love for golf, and a large percentage of them stuck with it. Here’s why that momentum has continued:
Concurrent with the pandemic boom, golf has been undergoing a cultural makeover. The old stereotypes of strict dress codes and a quiet, exclusive atmosphere are fading away, making the sport more welcoming to a broader audience.
Modern golf entertainment venues like Topgolf, Drive Shack, and indoor simulator bars have been a massive gateway for new players. They remove the most intimidating parts of learning the game:
Many courses, especially public and daily-fee facilities, have recognized this shift. They’ve relaxed their dress codes (goodbye, stuffy collars, hello, modern hoodies), embraced playing music on the course, and fostered a more laid-back vibe. This has lowered the barrier to entry, making newcomers feel more comfortable and less like they're breaking some unwritten rule they didn't know existed.
This is amplified by social media and pop culture. YouTube golfers, Instagram influencers, and Netflix series like "Full Swing" have showcased a younger, cooler side of the sport, making it more aspirational for a new generation.
Beyond the cultural shifts, there are some hard logistical realities that contribute to packed tee sheets. It's a classic case of skyrocketing demand meeting a relatively fixed supply.
A round of golf is a time-consuming activity. The industry standard pace of play for 18 holes is around four to four-and-a-half hours. When you have more new golfers on the course, that pace naturally slows down.
New players are often unfamiliar with the small efficiencies that keep things moving: where to put their bag, when to hit, how to read a green quickly. A foursome of beginners can easily take five hours or more to finish. This creates a bottleneck effect - the 8:00 AM group finishes at 1:15 PM instead of 12:30 PM, which pushes back the 1:20 PM group, and the delays cascade throughout the day. With just a handful of slow groups, the entire course can get backed up.
Here’s a fact many golfers don't realize: long before the recent boom, the United States was seeing a net loss of golf courses each year for over a decade. Land became more valuable for housing developments, and struggling courses closed down. So now we have a massive influx of new players competing for tee times on a supply of courses that is, at best, stagnant. More people are trying to fit through the same number of doors, making every tee time more valuable and harder to get.
Feeling frustrated by the crowds is understandable, but don't let it keep you from the game. With a little strategy and planning, you can navigate the busiest days and still have a great time. Here are my go-to tips for my students.
The days of waking up on a Saturday and deciding to play that afternoon are mostly gone. You have to plan ahead.
This is the most powerful tool you have. Avoiding peak hours is the single best way to find an open fairway.
You can't control the group in front of you, but you can control your own a-game pace, which makes the round less stressful for you and the people behind you. This isn't about rushing, it's about being efficient.
The new reality is that golf is more popular than ever, and crowded courses are likely here to stay. This is largely due to the post-pandemic boom, a cultural shift towards a more accessible game, and the simple economics of supply and demand. By adjusting your expectations and adopting smarter strategies for booking and playing, you can still enjoy the game you love.
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