Pulaski golf coach Scott Jones gives instructions to his team during an after-school practice session in the school’s indoor training space. © 2025 Teigen Reiter
PULASKI, N.Y. (NCC News) — Pulaski’s growing golf team reflects a national trend, as more teens take an interest in the sport thanks to media buzz, simulators and a fresh new image.
Golf has long been considered a sport for older generations. But now, younger players are leading a resurgence on fairways and driving ranges across the country. According to the National Golf Foundation, players between the ages of 18 and 34 now make up the sport’s largest on-course age group, with over 6 million active golfers.
That national trend is being reflected locally especially in high school programs.
At Pulaski High School, golf coach Scott Jones says he’s seen a noticeable increase in interest over the past few years. Teams that used to struggle to fill their rosters are now welcoming larger groups of students ready to play.
“Five, six years ago the numbers were down… then COVID hit, and it was one of the few things people could do,” Jones said. “A lot of people golfed. It kind of renewed the interest a little bit.”
This year, Jones reported that 17 students initially signed up for the team with 12 following through to make the final roster. Over at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School, the golf team has 15 members this year, another sign of the growing interest in the sport.
Jones also points to indoor golf simulators as a major reason why more young athletes are getting into the game and sticking with it. He says several of his current players even have simulators set up at home, allowing them to practice all year round.
“It’s really something you can do inside during the cold winter,” Jones said. “You just need a small area in your home or garage. I can’t believe the number of simulators I’ve heard about in the past two years.”
Pulaski junior Mathew Barber has been on the golf team since eighth grade. He says the rise in media attention especially the controversy between LIV and the PGA has helped spark more interest in the game.
“There’s controversy between LIV and PGA…a lot of exposure in the news and people finally actually talking about it,” Barber said.
Barber believes the increased visibility of the game through media coverage, including tournaments and headlines, has made golf more appealing to the younger generation.
“It’s advancing the sport for sure,” he said. “It’s bringing in new people who actually want to get good at it and maybe play in local tournaments.”
While golf might have once carried a reputation for being slow-paced or reserved for retirees, the current wave of young players is giving the game fresh energy.
And with more high schoolers trading their cleats for clubs, the future of golf looks younger and stronger than ever.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: The rise of the new generation of golf
Teigen Reiter: Golf has long been seen as a sport for the older generation, but now the sport’s biggest group of players comes from the younger generation, according to the National Golf Foundation. At Pulaski High School, more students are joining the golf team even before they can get out on the course. Scott Jones, Pulaski’s golf coach, has noticed the shift firsthand.
Scott Jones: I think COVID had a lot to do with kids getting out there. It was one of the few things people could do, and a lot of people golfed. I think it kind of renewed the interest in golf a little bit.
Reiter: Without access to an outdoor course just yet, Players at Pulaski are making the most of their indoor setup, practicing their technique before taking their game outside.
Reiter: Golf is growing among the new generation with new ways to practice and improve their game. I asked one high school golfer why more kids are picking up the game these days.
Reiter: I spoke with Mathew Barber, a junior at Pulaski, who explained how simulators are helping bring new players to the game.
Mathew Barber: Oh, it’s advancing the sport for sure. I mean, it’s bringing new people in that actually want to get good at the sport, maybe play in tournaments for their own local golf courses.
Reiter: As golf continues to grow in popularity among younger generations, it is clear that the sport is becoming more accessible and exciting for players of all ages. With high school teams seeing increased interest and young golfers embracing the game, it’s shaping up to be a bright future for the sport in our area. Reporting from Pulaski, for NCC News, I’m Teigen Reiter.