Golf in the age of the Global Sports Tourism Boom

Why the Balearic Islands Are Becoming the First Choice for Demanding Golfers

You’re on a morning flight from Hamburg, Zurich or Vienna – no bulky golf bag with you, no stressful check-in discussions. A short time later you’re already on the tee, looking over crisp fairways towards the sea, feeling the mild breeze on your face and thinking: this is what relaxed golf should feel like.

What looks like an idyllic island atmosphere is actually part of a clear development: international golf tourism is growing strongly – and Mallorca and the Balearic Islands are increasingly coming into focus for a travel industry that values high-quality products, lifestyle, environmentally conscious action and convenience.
Here we take a closer look at

• how much the global game of golf is currently expanding
• how golf compares to other sports,
• what role Spain and the Balearic Islands play
• because golfing in Mallorca, tournaments there and practical options such as renting equipment match exactly what today’s affluent travelers are looking for.

1. Global Golf Tourism: A Premium Segment with Strong Growth

First the basics: golf today is no longer only about tradition – it has evolved into a popular holiday and lifestyle activity worldwide.

• The global volume of golf tourism was about 25.34 billion US dollars in 2024 – according to Grand View Research it could rise to 41.87 billion by 2030, which corresponds to an average annual increase of around 9.1% starting in 2025.
• Growth drivers:
• more global and local tournaments
• expansion of high-quality golf courses and resorts
• rising number of golfers across all age groups, including women and younger players
• a combination of sport, health, nature, culinary experiences and exclusive travel.

Golf holidays are considered a typical premium product: not a lot of baggage, but deeper value. And this leads to the key question – especially when you look at golf in the wider context of overall sports tourism.

2. Golf in Comparison: How Strong Is the Sport Really?

To put golf in perspective, it helps to look at the bigger market:

• The exact figure depends on the analysis, but researchers estimate the sports travel sector in the mid-2020s at around 600 to 700 billion US dollars per year – and it could more than double by 2030.
• Major events – such as the European Championship or World Cup, Formula 1 races, running series and the Olympics – attract huge numbers of people; these produce strong spikes, mainly triggered by the event itself.

If you place golf tourism in this picture:

• With around 25.34 billion US dollars, golf accounts for roughly four percent of total sports tourism – however:
• Golf travelers are often among the highest spenders – they stay longer, spend more per day, prefer 4- to 5-star hotels or sometimes a villa, love fine dining just as much as spa offers and additional activities.

Compared with other sports (simplified on the basis of current market studies):

• Cycling – tourists worldwide spend roughly 135 billion dollars, according to 2024 figures. That’s almost five times as much as golf tourism. But many of those trips involve smaller bills, every traveler spends differently, and quite a few travel on a budget.
• Football and event travel: takes up a wide share through ticket and travel offers for fans – but is mostly tied to specific mega events that don’t take place regularly throughout the year.

The key message for you as a golfer:

3. Spain as a Driver – and What That Means for You

Spain sets the tone for golf tourism in Europe.
A current study on the economic impact of golf shows:

• In the golf sector, Spain generates roughly 15.4 billion euros in added value per year.
• About 5.9 billion euros of that comes from golf tourists alone.
• About 7 out of 8 euros generated through golf end up in hospitality – hotels benefit, restaurants do too, as do transport services; on top of that leisure providers and property developers earn money.
• Spain attracts over 40% of all European golf tourists – clearly ahead of Portugal, Ireland or France.

For you as a golfer, this means:

• excellent infrastructure
• consistently high course and service quality
• a country where golf is not just a side product but a central pillar of development.

Within Spain, one region benefits particularly smartly from this development – the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca as the best-known island.

4. The Balearic Islands: An Island World with Golf in Its DNA

It’s clear that Mallorca has recently focused more strongly on high-quality and active forms of holidays – with golf playing a central role.

A few key points:

• In 2024, the Balearic Islands welcomed just over 15.3 million foreign visitors – about 6% more than before; in total they spent around 20 billion euros.
• Mallorca accounts for the largest share, and at the same time activities beyond the bathing months are being strengthened – such as golf or cycling, as well as hiking, tennis, water activities and events.

Particularly interesting for golf tourism:

• New figures show: more than 50,000 golf tourists have bought an apartment or house in the Balearic Islands – together this represents a value of over 20 billion euros.
• Golfers here don’t just pay green fees, they invest money in the region long term – that demonstrates commitment and reliability when it comes to budgets.

Compared with other sports:

• Early studies indicate: as early as the mid-2000s, revenue from golf tourism in Mallorca was higher than that from cycling tourism – even though the number of visitors was the same or lower. That means: golf generates more income per person.
• Today, cycling tourism shapes the image of Mallorca as an active destination – but golfers are among the most exclusive guest groups, which clearly strengthens the regional economy.

Golf on the Balearic Islands is therefore not just an option, but a key field.

5. Why Golfing in Mallorca Fits Perfectly with the New Golfer Generation

You’re between 35 and 75, you like to travel – not just to relax, but to enjoy yourself. Business is going well, you care about quality and flexibility, and you often travel with your partner or friends.

Mallorca is made for you – and shows what it can do.

5.1. Just fly in and play

• Direct connections from almost every major European city
• Flight time is often just two to three hours
• From Palma Airport you can reach most golf courses in 20–45 minutes

That makes Golf Mallorca ideal for:

• long weekends
• spontaneous breaks in spring or autumn
• combined trips with business, family & friends

You don’t waste a minute – you’re right in the middle of it.

5.2. More than 20 courses – real characters instead of lookalikes

Mallorca offers impressive density and variety:

• Depending on the current list, there are around 21 to 24 courses – more than 20 of them open to guests.
• Highlights such as:
• Club de Golf Alcanada with iconic sea view and lighthouse
• Arabella Golf (Son Vida, Son Muntaner, Son Quint) as a multi-award-winning resort
• Golf de Andratx, T Golf Calvia, Son Gual, Canyamel, Capdepera, Pula, Vall d’Or and many more

Almost every hole has its own story – you play where your swing feels right and your eyes wander over the sea. In the end it’s not the numbers that count, but the moments with the wind in your face.

5.3. A destination for all seasons instead of waiting for “the” best time

More and more people want to play golf all year round. Some classic golf destinations don’t work in winter – either it’s too cold or conditions change constantly.

Mallorca scores with:

• mild winters – ideal for golf & sun instead of snow shoveling
• perfect conditions in spring and autumn
• much lower weather volatility than Northern Europe

So golfing in Mallorca becomes a smart option for reliable trips in February, March, November or December – exactly when sunshine, activity and sea views matter most.

6. Golf Tournaments in Mallorca: A Stage for Performance & Prestige

Golf tournaments in Mallorca are a key lever to anchor the island on the international golf calendar:

• The “Road to Mallorca” with the Challenge Tour Final at Club de Golf Alcanada has recently brought the island more attention – attracting pros from all over the world. The course ranks among the top 100 worldwide.
• In addition: pro-ams, invitationals and corporate events on courses such as Son Muntaner, Son Gual or T Golf that speak directly to your target group:
• networking on the fairway
• a combination of tournament feeling, enjoyment and Mediterranean lifestyle

Compared with other sports:

• Football matches, sometimes tennis or Formula 1 – interest there often spikes suddenly.
• Golf tournaments usually run over several days, often with additional side events – this makes people stay longer and increases revenue per visitor.

For you this means: play the same places as the big events – but without hustle and crowds.

7. Renting Clubs Instead of Sports Luggage: The Comfort Factor That Makes the Difference

There’s a clear trend in golf tourism right now – perfect for Mallorca: people simply arrive without their own golf bag.

Why?

• Some airlines charge high extra fees for sports equipment – we’re talking three-digit amounts.
• Transfers, lugging bags around, damaged travel cases – you really don’t need that anymore.
• Especially frequent travelers – whether for quick golf breaks or family trips – value flexibility and convenience.

Renting clubs in Mallorca is the logical answer:

• modern sets from leading brands
• options to match handicap, swing speed and playing style
• delivery directly to the hotel or tee
• stress-free, efficient, comfortable

In the context of the global market this is more than just a service detail:

• It makes it easier for international golfers to come.
• It helps to travel more sustainably – through lower weight and simpler transport.
• It fits into the lifestyle of people for whom convenience matters more than owning – quality matters a lot, but saving effort matters even more.

So anyone thinking about playing a round in Mallorca can now organize the whole trip without dragging their own clubs along – instead, first-class equipment is waiting on site.

8. Golf vs. Other Sports in the Balearic Islands: Why Golf Performs So Well

The Balearic Islands aren’t just great for golf – they’re also a destination for cyclists and water sports enthusiasts. What’s interesting: the activities complement each other – but they generate different levels of revenue.

In short:

• Cycling or triathlons fill bookings in spring and autumn and have strong visibility – but are often price-sensitive.
• In summer, water sports and beach holidays dominate – but they are increasingly at the center of discussions about overtourism.
• Golf delivers:
• high spend per person
• travel in the shoulder seasons
• high-end accommodation
• longer stays
• high loyalty (repeat visitors, property owners)

Studies on Spain and the islands show: golf guests spend significantly more than the average tourist and help diversify tourism – a key goal in moving away from pure mass tourism.

For you this means:

9. Why Your Next Golf Trip Should Be to Mallorca

Let’s sum it up – no matter how you look at it:

• Golf tourism is booming worldwide because visitors spend well and often stay longer.
• Compared to football or cycling tourism, golf may be smaller in volume – but it brings far more value per traveler.
• Spain – Europe’s number one golf destination – channels a lot of money into the economy and offers excellent on-site service.
• Balearic Islands & Mallorca:

• • high tourist numbers, but a clear strategic focus on quality
  • a strong role for the golf segment, including property investments by golf guests
  • more than 20 characterful courses, tournaments, sea views, short distances, Mediterranean lifestyle
    
• Service & comfort:
  • renting clubs instead of sports luggage
  • year-round playability
  • perfect for people between 35 and 75 who design their life consciously – less rush, more well-being and real joy in everyday life

So if you’re planning another trip soon and wondering where to invest your money, time and energy – the answer is obvious:

Golfing in Mallorca blends atmosphere with performance and adds a way of living that’s much more than just 18 holes.