The 2024 golf season is complete.
For some, it’s time to put the clubs away for the winter and perhaps focus on other sports or hobbies. Others keep the sticks (and swing) from going cold through simulator golf, trips to courses in warmer climates or by just braving the cold regardless of the less than desirable temperatures.
Regardless of your next move, one thing’s for certain; the active handicap posting season in the GAP Region is over.
Active score posting season resumes April 1, 2025.
Take a moment to think about your golf experience over the past year. Did your handicap index undergo a trend of significant downward movement, or were you mostly on the rise? Whatever the story might be, the numbers never fail to tell your golfing tale.
GAP spent some time with its own numbers. Take a look at the findings.
Total Members:
The golf community within the GAP Region continues to thrive. In 2024, individual GAP memberships rose to 126,290. That number represents a 15.25 percent increase from members in 2023. Occasional fairway trotters and GAP Major champions golfed their balls across 342 GAP Member Clubs. The gender split of GAP’s membership base is 105,993 men and 20,297 women. GAP Youth on Course memberships also increased to 7,186.
Total Rounds Posted:
A total of 2,391,395 rounds were posted to handicap records during active posting season, which lasted from April 1 to Nov. 14. If you thought it was difficult to get a tee time, you’d be correct.
Average Handicap Index:
So what’s the collective skill level of GAP members anyway? This year’s average handicap index clocked in at 16.8. This number signifies the competitive spirit and dedication of GAP’s vibrant community, and even a slight improvement from last year.
GAP Championships & USGA Qualifiers:
On the competitive side, GAP staged a total of 120 competitive events. GAP’s 2024 tournament schedule featured four Majors, several women’s events, honorary team events, USGA championship qualifiers and more. The most novel addition to the schedule was the inaugural GAP Adaptive Championship. A total of 10,112 players were united through competition and camaraderie this season.
Member Play Days:
GAP’s circuit of Member Play Days is always a crowd pleaser. This year, 2,764 players teed it up in 35 days of friendly competition and enjoyment at courses throughout the GAP Region. Since the beginning, MPDs have been about community and course access.
Winter Series:
The temperature chilled, but GAP competition sizzled. The Association offered eight opportunities for members to test their skills in off-season conditions. A total of 664 players put their competitive spirits above comfort and braved the cold. Winter Series participation is a testament to the diehard golfing attitudes adopted by GAP members.
GAP Travel:
GAP Travel, now in its second year, provides professionally-arranged journeys designed to unite likeminded GAP members. Exceptional golf is at the forefront of every trip followed closely by camaraderie and unforgettable travel experiences. GAP members registered a total of 10,260 miles during the 2024 travel itinerary. During the offseason, GAP visited Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. In the fall, members traveled to Northern Ireland for five rounds at bucket-list courses. The travel season ended with a late fall trip to PGA Frisco. Participants stayed and played two rounds of golf and cheered on the Eagles in their win against the Cowboys in a suite at AT&T Stadium.
The digits don’t lie, and neither does the commitment of the GAP community. Each and every score posted within the GAP Region this season helped grow the game of golf and connect members with one another.
As we turn the page on GAP’s 127th season, we continue to look towards an exciting future. What will year 128 hold? Perhaps new programs, host sites and member benefits? Only time will tell.
From all of us at GAP, we owe each and every one of you a big thank you for playing, posting, competing and being a part of the great community we’ve created together.
We can’t wait for April 1.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
