There is no such thing as an off-season in golf. Discover golf: anytime, anywhere.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – As temperatures drop and the outdoor golf season in most parts of the country draws to a close, Golf Canada is proud to announce the launch of a new comprehensive off-course golf strategy supported by the Just Swing campaign, which highlights the benefits and different forms of off-course golf.
Golf Canada endorses and supports all forms of golf and is encouraging Canadians to experience the game year-round through off-course golf experiences.
These experiences include golf simulators, driving ranges, short game areas, mini golf, virtual reality golf and golf-themed video games that all provide opportunities to engage with the sport year-round. Complementing traditional green grass golf, off-course golf provides a continuity of golf experiences that can welcome new individuals into the sport in ways that best fit their lifestyle.
For Golf Canada’s Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin, the campaign is about having a presence wherever and however golf is being enjoyed.
“There has been an explosion in off-course golf options in our country, most notably golf simulators, and Golf Canada is excited to officially launch our off-course strategy. This initiative is reflective of the reality that an increasing number of Canadians are now participating in golf activity year-round in non-traditional venues like simulator facilities. Off-course golf has the potential to be transformational for our sport, combining fun and realistic golf experiences with affordable options that are accessible 12 months a year,” said McLaughlin. “This strategy acknowledges the way that Canadians are engaging with the game is evolving, and our intention is to create a greater connection between these new off-course formats and the broader golf landscape.”
As part of this strategy, Golf Canada, in partnership with the Provincial Golf Associations, is proud to launch a new facility membership offering, specifically designed for off-course operators. Through this program off-course facilities will now be able to become official members of Golf Canada and have the ability to promote their operations to Canada’s largest and most engaged golf audience.
It will also be easier for Canadians to find places to play off course. A comprehensive digital program promoting off-course golf will connect Canadians to Official Member Facilities of Golf Canada. Golfers will soon be able to log and track their off-course activity at simulators in the
Golf Canada app beginning in early December. For more information or to download Canada’s number one golf app, click here.
“It’s not just having a presence where golf is being played in the winter, it’s about building meaningful relationships with the off-course facilities and owners who are invested in this growth sector of the sport. These facilities are providing a fun and social environment for golf enthusiasts and newcomers looking to experience golf, and we feel we can deliver year-round value and benefit to their operations.”
Interest in off-course golf has grown substantially in Canada over the past four years. In 2021, 19 per cent of Canadians were using golf simulators; that number rose to 43 per cent in 2024, an increase of 24 per cent over four years. In addition to the countless green grass facilities that transform their operations to accommodate indoor golf each winter.
The Just Swing campaign will support Golf Canada’s complete off-course strategy to have a presence wherever golf is being played. The campaign encourages Canadians to discover golf, anywhere, anytime and Just Swing, highlighting the many benefits the game can provide. This campaign is designed to re-frame perceptions of the sport by driving understanding that whether you pick up a club on a golf course or a simulator its all golf. The hope is to position the sport in a new way, particularly for new audiences who aren’t currently active golfers.
For more information on the Just Swing campaign, the benefits of off-course golf or to find a location near you, please visit golfcanada.ca/justswing.
For facilities interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming a Golf Canada Facility Member, click here.