Golf Saudi is embarking on a massive five-year expansion plan aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a major golfing nation, with a goal to increase registered participation almost tenfold, according to CEO Noah Alireza.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club, Alireza revealed the ambitious targets for the sport's domestic growth.
“We have 5,000 registered golfers in Saudi Arabia. We want to move from 5,000 to 46,000 in the next five years,” Alireza stated on Friday.
To meet this dramatic increase in demand, Golf Saudi is prioritizing a rapid expansion of the nation's golf infrastructure, which is currently "quite limited" compared to global standards.
The plan involves more than tripling the number of accessible courses and introducing widespread training facilities across the country:
Beyond infrastructure, a major focus is integrating golf into the national consciousness and educational system.
In 2026, Golf Saudi will launch Go Golf, a national program offering 12 free lessons for any Saudi citizen. Upon completion of the sessions, participants will earn a Golf Passport.
This digital passport is designed to incentivize continued engagement by rewarding new players with discounts on equipment, green fees, memberships, and restaurants.
When asked about the rationale for such a significant national push for golf, Alireza emphasized the intrinsic values of the sport.
"If you don’t make it as a professional in golf, you have the ingredients to make it as a professional in life," he explained, citing the values of discipline, hard work, and honesty required by the self-governing nature of the game.
“Golf is a bridge to one’s inner potential," he added. "The mentality of every golfer, like any athlete, is a constant pursuit of better.”
Alireza also highlighted the growing success and economic value of major tournaments, pointing to the PIF Saudi International as a prime example.
He noted the significant growth in attendance at the event, stating that registrations for the current year had topped 72,000, with over 14,000 attendees on a single day. This marks a massive leap from the 8,000 average attendance recorded four years ago.
Alireza praised the vision driving the sport, specifically the commitment of His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan to local and global golf growth, and the successful integration of sports with entertainment led by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh at events like the WOW Festival.
