As team Europe gears up for the 45th Ryder Cup in September and with the team now announced, we thought it would be interesting to look at golf around Europe; specifically the number of Ryder Cup players produced by each nation. We have compared this data to the national populations to give a feel for which countries are punching above their weight when it comes to Ryder Cup players over the years, we have even included data on the number of golf courses if you are looking to plan your next golf trip with the gang.

Ireland is the undisputed overachiever when it comes to Ryder Cup representation. With just 5.4 million people and 357 golf courses, the country has produced 11 players—an impressive ratio of 2.02 Ryder Cup golfers per million residents, the highest in Europe. 

This success is rooted in a rich golfing culture, shaped by iconic links courses such as Royal County Down and Ballybunion, and fuelled by inspirational figures including Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry. The hosting of the Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006 further cemented Ireland’s reputation as a golfing powerhouse, making it pound-for-pound Europe’s most prolific Ryder Cup factory.

The UK has produced the most Ryder Cup players in total.

The UK has produced more Ryder Cup players than any other nation, with 96 golfers representing Europe since the tournament’s inception. This dominance is no surprise given the sport’s deep roots across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, where golf has long been part of the cultural fabric. 

With over 3,000 courses (many of which have paid host to our award winning electric golf trolleys) and a history steeped in iconic venues such as St Andrews and Wentworth, the UK has consistently provided the backbone of Europe’s Ryder Cup teams. From legends like Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie to modern stars such as Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, the UK continues to be the wellspring of Ryder Cup talent

Spain: The Seve Ballesteros Legacy

Spain’s Ryder Cup story is defined by the enduring legacy of Seve Ballesteros. With 19 players in total, fifth overall but only 0.39 per million residents, Spain’s numbers may look modest at first glance. Yet Seve’s influence in the 1970s and 80s transformed Spanish golf, inspiring a golden generation that includes Sergio García and José María Olazábal. Despite having relatively few golf courses (486), Spain has left an outsized cultural mark on the Ryder Cup, with Seve’s charisma helping to shape Europe’s identity in the competition.

The Scandinavian Effect 

Scandinavia, meanwhile, has quietly become one of Europe’s most reliable producers of Ryder Cup talent. Sweden leads the charge with 10 players (0.94 per million), fuelled by a late-20th-century golf boom and stars like Henrik Stenson and Jesper Parnevik who blazed the trail. Denmark isn’t far behind, producing five players at a rate of 0.83 per million, thanks in no small part to the influence of Thomas Bjørn, the country’s most celebrated golfing figure and captain of Europe’s victorious 2018 team. With a high density of courses relative to their populations, Sweden and Denmark consistently punch above their weight, showing how even smaller nations can shape Ryder Cup history.

Germany underperforms despite its size

Germany has produced just three Ryder Cup players, giving it a ratio of 0.04 players per million residents despite being Europe’s most populous country with 83.6 million people. Even with more than 1,000 golf courses, the nation has struggled to translate its infrastructure into Ryder Cup talent. Bernhard Langer remains the standout figure but few have followed in his footsteps, underlining Germany’s underperformance relative to its size.

France, a host nation with modest returns

France has produced four Ryder Cup players, equating to just 0.06 per million across a population of 68.6 million. With 815 golf courses and the prestige of hosting the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in 2018, expectations have been higher but the pathway from grassroots to elite level remains limited compared with smaller nations. France has the infrastructure yet its contribution to the Ryder Cup remains modest.

Italy’s big moments but few players

Italy’s Ryder Cup history rests largely on the shoulders of a few stars. With only three players in total at a ratio of 0.05 per million residents, Italy sits well behind its European peers despite a population of nearly 59 million. Its 308 golf courses provide some foundation but elite breakthroughs have been rare. Francesco Molinari’s historic 5–0 record at the 2018 Ryder Cup stands out as Italy’s defining moment, especially ahead of Rome hosting the event in 2023.

New York pays host to the competition this year and Europe are aiming for their first Ryder Cup win on American soil since 2012. The oddsmakers have the USA as favourites following the team picks from Europe, but recent history shows that form and predictions often count for little once the first tee shot is struck. With Europe blending experienced campaigners and rising stars, and the Americans boasting depth and home advantage, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in one of sport’s most fiercely contested rivalries.

To build this report, we began by analysing all European-born Ryder Cup players, mapping them against their countries of birth. We compared these figures with population data from the World Population Review, which also provided golf course numbers, to calculate how many Ryder Cup players each country has produced per million residents. 

This created a clear ‘league table’ showing which nations are truly punching above their weight in golfing pedigree. We then carried out the same process for US-born Ryder Cup players, breaking them down by state to reveal how different regions compare in terms of player production relative to population and golfing infrastructure.

References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Ryder_Cup_golfers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_Ryder_Cup_golfers

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/golf-courses-by-state

https://www.statista.com/statistics/641782/europe-numbers-of-golf-courses-by-country/