Latinos Are Driving Golf’s Next Great Era

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15–October 15, it is a perfect time to recognize something many of us are seeing firsthand: Latinos are becoming an increasingly important part of the game’s future.

For many Latino families, sports are about more than competition. They bring people together, create friendships, strengthen communities, and become part of our traditions. Golf fits naturally into that story. Whether we discover the game through a friend, a business relationship, a junior program, Topgolf, or a family vacation, more Latinos are finding their own connection to golf.

Today, more than 7.7 million Asian, Black, and Hispanic golfers play on U.S. courses, representing 26% of traditional golfers. Participation among diverse communities has grown significantly since 2010, with Hispanic golfers becoming an increasingly visible part of that growth.

Golf is also being discovered differently. Driving ranges, simulators, entertainment venues, and other off-course experiences are making the sport more social and accessible. For many Latino players, these experiences can be the first step toward eventually playing 18 holes, joining a club, buying equipment, or planning a golf vacation.

A Growing Economic Influence

The growth of Latino golf parallels an even bigger story: the economic strength of the U.S. Latino community. The U.S. Latino economy generates approximately $4.1 trillion in GDP. If considered an independent economy, it would rank among the largest in the world.

Entrepreneurship is another important part of this story. More than five million Latino-owned businesses generate hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue. These entrepreneurs are creating companies, employing people, building wealth, and becoming increasingly influential consumers.

As purchasing power grows, so does the potential for golf travel, equipment, memberships, corporate outings, incentive programs, tournaments, and destination experiences.

Seeing Ourselves at the Highest Level

Perhaps nothing inspires the next generation more than seeing players who share their heritage competing on golf’s biggest stages.

Latin America has produced outstanding professionals, including Joaquín Niemann of Chile, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Nico Echavarría and Camilo Villegas of Colombia, Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.

Their accomplishments matter beyond trophies and rankings. They allow a young golfer in Miami, Mexico City, Chicago, or San Juan to think: Maybe I can do that too.

Women’s golf is part of this momentum as well. The legacy of Lorena Ochoa continues to inspire generations of women and girls, while new talent continues to emerge throughout the region.

International championships are strengthening the World Stage

Behind these players are golf federations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean working to develop juniors, coaches, competitive programs, and opportunities to experience the game.

The Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) has become one of the region’s most prestigious stages for elite male amateurs, offering extraordinary opportunities to advance to major championships.

The Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) is creating an equally important platform for talented female golfers and helping accelerate the development and visibility of women’s golf throughout the region.

An Opportunity for Golf Destinations

Latino golfers often look for more than a great course. We appreciate experiences that bring together golf, family, friends, food, culture, hospitality, and memorable destinations. We travel as couples, groups of friends, families, women’s groups, club members, and business colleagues.

For destinations, understanding this market means going beyond simply translating a promotion into Spanish. It means understanding the culture, the importance of relationships, personalized hospitality, and the experience surrounding the round of golf.

Our Place in Golf’s Future

The greatest opportunity is not simply bringing more Latinos into golf. It is seeing more Latinos leading within golf, as players, business owners, PGA Professionals, coaches, destination executives, tournament organizers, architects, media professionals, and industry decision-makers.

Golf has always had an extraordinary ability to connect people across countries, cultures, languages, and generations. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate how far the Latino golf community has come, while looking forward to the opportunities still ahead. Because the future of golf is not defined by geography or borders, it is shaped by the people who play it, lead it, travel for it, and share their passion for the game with others.

Latinos are not simply participating in golf’s growth. We are helping shape its future, connecting the Americas through a game we love and proving that the best future for golf is truly Golf Without Borders.