May 16, 2025 - Sports

Golf booms in popularity as Henrico eyes PGA tour venue

Illustration of a U.S. quarter on a golf tee — Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

More Americans are playing golf than ever before as it booms in popularity and gains a bigger and younger audience.

Why it matters: It's not a cheap hobby. At some Richmond-area golf courses, like Magnolia Green, a full membership — and a one-time joining fee — could run you over $6,000.

By the numbers: That's slightly higher than the $4,557 millennials nationwide expect to spend this year on golf gear and expenses like course fees, according to a new survey from Whatnot.

And millennials are spending nearly $700 more than Gen X and about $1,800 more than Boomers.

The big picture: The Richmond region alone has over 20 golf clubs, including the only venue in Virginia to ever host a PGA Championship — in 1949.

Henrico County is also planning to turn a 270-acre golf course in Glen Allen into a PGA tournament venue by 2026.

Fun fact: County officials tell Richmond Magazine that their hope is to host the PGA Tour Champions playoff, which is for pro golfers 50 and over, and have Tiger Woods there.

Woods turns 50 in December.

Add Axios on Google

Golf booms in popularity as Henrico eyes PGA tour venue

More Richmond stories