SMS Inc measures rise in rounds played in 2014

Sports Marketing Surveys Inc has announced increased figures in its ‘Golf Rounds Played’ study for 2014 compared with the previous two years. With temperatures above average for the duration of the last quarter and no major sporting events vying for the UK golfers’ attention, the number of golf rounds played in the final three months of 2014 were up 4.5 percent compared to the same period in 2013. This resulted in a year-on-year growth of 3.5 percent.

At the end of the third quarter, the amount of golf played in the UK exhibited encouraging progression against 2013. This positive growth continued in the fourth quarter, and resulted in year-end numbers which were up on 2013 (3.5 percent) and 2012 (1.4 percent) respectively.

Richard Payne, senior manager of Sports Accounts at SMS Inc commented, “After announcing the positive Q3 numbers (5.3 percent up against Q3 2013), we knew that unless the weather turned dramatically in Q4, that we would be able to publicise some positive news to the UK golf industry. Hopefully this intelligence gives golf a boost going into the 2015 season.”