Golf's Struggle in Israel: A Look at the Sport's Limited Reach
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's passion for golf, Israel has struggled to develop the sport, with only one professional course remaining in Caesarea after the closure of the Ga'ash course in 2019. A 2009 plan to build 16 international courses has largely failed to materialize due to high land costs and limited demand. The high cost of membership and play at the Caesarea club further restricts access, with only about 860 registered players in the country, creating a cycle that impedes further development.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's golf scene is limited to a single professional course in Caesarea following the 2019 closure of the Ga'ash course.
- A 2009 government plan to establish 16 international golf courses in Israel has not been realized.
- High land costs and limited player numbers are key barriers to developing new golf courses in Israel.
- Membership at the Caesarea Golf Club ranges from 14,400 to 32,550 shekels, with non-member play costing up to 545 shekels.
- Only about 860 players are registered with the Israel Golf Association, highlighting the sport's niche status.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu humorously responded to a question about his conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump by saying they discuss "golf." Trump is a well-known golf enthusiast who owns golf clubs globally. This remark prompts an examination of why professional golf courses are scarce in Israel, despite its reputation for successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
Until seven years ago, Israel had two major golf courses: one in Caesarea and another in Kibbutz Ga'ash. The Ga'ash course, opened in 1999, closed in March 2019 due to legal issues concerning unauthorized commercial use of agricultural land. Despite efforts to resolve its status, the kibbutz decided to shut it down, leaving hundreds of players in the central region without a nearby option. Consequently, the Caesarea club became the sole professional golf facility in Israel.
This situation starkly contrasts with a 2009 plan by the Ministry of Tourism and the Israel Land Authority to establish 16 international golf courses within 15 years, with an estimated investment of 760 million shekels. The project was projected to generate approximately 3 billion shekels for the economy, primarily through golf tourism. However, nearly 17 years later, this ambitious plan has not materialized.
The Caesarea Golf Club, established in 1961 by the Rothschild family, remains Israel's only professional course. It features an 18-hole course, practice facilities, and a clubhouse. Membership fees range from 14,400 to 32,550 shekels, with additional per-round charges for some courses. Non-members can play for 485 shekels on weekdays and 545 shekels on weekends.
The primary obstacle to establishing new courses is land availability. Professional courses require hundreds of acres, significant investment in construction, irrigation, and maintenance. In Israel, where land is expensive and the demand for golf is limited, the economic viability of such projects is uncertain. A notable example is Eilat, where plans for an 850-dunam golf complex and a 560-room hotel have been stalled for over 20 years due to unsuccessful tenders.
Currently, only about 860 players are registered with the Israel Golf Association, according to 2026 European Golf Association data. This low number illustrates a difficult cycle: the lack of additional courses hinders the sport's growth, while insufficient player numbers make justifying new courses challenging. The Golf Association continues to promote initiatives in Eilat, Omer, and other areas, but for now, anyone wishing to play golf in Israel will likely have to visit Caesarea.