Golf's 'Golden Age' Drives Big Gains for Shoe Brands and Retailers

New players from women golfers to juniors and Baby Boomers spur increase in golf shoe sales.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented golf game, with overlapping planes of green, white, and yellow representing the dynamic growth in golf participation across diverse demographics.The rise of women, juniors, and Baby Boomers in golf fuels a 'golden age' for the sport and new opportunities for footwear brands and retailers.Augusta Today

The post-pandemic surge in the golfing sector appears to have staying power, with golf shoe wholesale sales reaching $416.3 million in 2025, up 10.6% year-over-year. Participation across sports and fitness has reached record levels, with more than 250 million Americans active in 2025, marking seven consecutive years of growth. Retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods are expanding their Golf Galaxy footprint, recognizing the importance of proper fitting golf footwear for performance and enjoyment of the game.

Why it matters

The growth in golf participation, especially among women, juniors, and Baby Boomers, is driving increased demand for golf-specific footwear. Brands and retailers are responding by investing in new product lines and store expansions to cater to this expanding customer base.

The details

Data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) shows that golf shoe wholesale sales have grown consistently since 2020, reaching $416.3 million in 2025. Retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods are expanding their Golf Galaxy footprint, recognizing that golf footwear is a critical piece of equipment that can impact a golfer's performance and enjoyment of the game. Brands like G/Fore, Jordan Brand, and Payntr are emerging as leaders in blending style and technology, while established players like FootJoy, Nike, and Adidas are also bringing renewed energy to their golf shoe assortments.

  • Golf shoe wholesale sales reached $416.3 million in 2025, up 10.6% year-over-year.
  • Golf participation has reached record levels, with more than 250 million Americans active in 2025, marking seven consecutive years of growth.
  • Dick's Sporting Goods plans to open approximately 15 Golf Galaxy Performance Center locations in 2026.

The players

Jenny Karn

SFIA's senior director.

Navdeep Gupta

Executive vice president and CFO of Dick's Sporting Goods Inc.

Michael Stack

Senior vice president of Golf Galaxy and Footwear.

Arpine Kocharyan

UBS analyst.

Randall J. Konik

Jefferies analyst.

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What they’re saying

“What's particularly encouraging is that this growth aligns with broader industry trends. Participation across sports and fitness has reached record levels, with more than 250 million Americans active in 2025, marking seven consecutive years of growth. That rising tide of activity continues to benefit established sports like golf.”

— Jenny Karn, SFIA's senior director

“Golf footwear is in a really interesting and exciting place today. Footwear is a fashion statement for many golfers, but it's also a critical piece of their equipment and performance, so the blend of style and technology is opening up space for new brands to make some noise.”

— Michael Stack, Senior vice president of Golf Galaxy and Footwear

“Baby boomer demographic growing is a positive for Callaway given more discretionary spend and time to golf. The sport is seeing further engagement from women and younger players.”

— Arpine Kocharyan, UBS analyst

“Golf is in a true golden age.”

— Randall J. Konik, Jefferies analyst

“FootJoy is the brand that is top of the top.”

— Nicole Mullins, Owner of Bonaventure Discount Golf store

What’s next

The 2026 Masters Tournament, the first of the four men's major golf tournaments, will be played April 9-12 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Golf shops and apparel brands are already gearing up for a spike in revenue and interest as the tournament approaches.

The takeaway

The surge in golf participation, especially among women, juniors, and Baby Boomers, is driving significant growth in the golf shoe market. Brands and retailers are responding by investing in new product lines, store expansions, and innovative marketing to cater to this expanding customer base, positioning the golf industry for continued success in the coming years.