Golf is hot. Especially among young people, the sport is rapidly growing in popularity. They also notice that at Golfclub Prise d’Eau Golf in Tilburg. Since Corona, the golf club has seen a considerable increase in young members. “I made friends here,” says Bram (25).
“The attraction of Golf is changing,” says director Inge van den Akker. “We see that many young people think it’s a great sport to add.”
At Prise d’Eau, young people are active in the competition, but there are also plenty who come to play pure for fun. “Such a ball that flies meters over the grass, that feeling is unique,” says Van den Akker enthusiastically. “You don’t find that on the bowling alley, not on the mini golf course, but here.”
“It’s just like an oil slick”
The sport suddenly became more popular during Corona. “Keeping 1.5 meters away was of course a breeze here,” Van den Akker explains. “When young people went looking for alternatives, waves were soon chosen. Many of them stayed on and their friends told how nice it is. It is just like an oil slick.”
Bram (25) started a starting course last summer. In the meantime he can no longer be beaten away from the job. “I fell in love with the sport,” he says. “From there I started playing and I made friends here.” What he likes so much? Solve problems with every stroke and the game element. “It’s a form of competition, you do it with others and you are moving.”
“Since I get on the track I can be found here almost every week”
Jada (25), who works at the golf course, also decided to try the sport himself six months ago. “Since I get on the track I can be found here almost every week.” On Tuesday she golf with her friends Sanne and Livia.
“Why not?” Livia (24) thought when Jada asked her. “I’ve never done it, but I like sports and thought: I just try something else.” She also saw other friends golf. “It made me curious. The weather was nice, so I thought: let’s just do it.”
“It is accessible, relaxing and you are in nature”
Sanne thought the same. Her father has been golfing for years. “I have sometimes hit a ball in the garden, but everything has been said,” she laughs. Yet she understands why the sport appeals now. “It is accessible, relaxing and you are in nature.” Livia agrees. “You are outside and you can talk to each other. It is easier to do something together and at the same time to move.”
And the old, stiff image of the sport? They like to leave that behind. Older people, polos, neat shoes and pants: that is no longer necessary. Sanne: “We are just here in jeans, shirts and a sweater. I don’t think we are falling outside the boat now.” Bram also believes that that image is now outdated. “You still see many older people, but it really doesn’t have to be expensive. I now play almost every week with friends of my age.”
“Golf is not just for older people”
Jada notices that more and more of her friends are curious about the sport. “The more young people there are, the more pleasant it is.” Many of her friends first wanted to try it and are now enthusiastic. “They get a completely different picture than they had first. On Tiktok I also see more and more videos coming by. That’s nice, because then you see: Golf is not just for older people.”
After their first real golf experience, the friends are surprised. Sanne is determined: “After today I will certainly come more often. I think I will call daddy to go together.” Livia is also enthusiastic. “Maybe because it went well, then it is often soon fun,” she laughs. “I think I’m going to do it more often.”
Brabant is the third largest province with golfers, according to figures from the Royal Dutch Golf Federation (NGF). In April this year there were 77,610 golfers in Brabant. With just over 10%, the largest rise in members could be seen in the age group from 21 to 40 years old.