THOUSANDS of Manchester golfers are among the missing millions nationwide who have have not been accounted for in the past because they are not club members.

And since the Ryder Cup the numbers have increased dramatically to an all-time high.

A report released today (Tuesday) reveals that 1.34m are on club registers. But four times as many peg up at least once a month on a pay-and-play basis which suggests there could be in excess of five million regular golfers who don't have membership, with more than half admitting they would consider joining a club.

Three months after Sam Torrance's men achieved that famous victory over the United States at the Belfry interest in the game has not abated, especially in Manchester where public courses and driving ranges are still doing roaring business.

Roaring demand

The report, commissioned by market analyst Mintel to mark its new partnership in golf with the PGA, has also uncovered a significant untapped demand for the game.

Research questioning more than 4,000 adults in the UK finds that intriguingly, given the widespread perception that most golfers are of mature years, the majority of regular non-club players were predominately male and aged between 25 and 34.

Half of the people interviewed admitting they would like to play golf more often were aged between 25 and 44.

PGA boss Sandy Jones said: "There are more than 3,000 clubs in Britain so it was surprising to discover the number of regular non-club players.

"The high percentage of Internet users and readers of popular tabloids among the key age groups will help dispel one of the myths about golf being an elitist game."

Mintel's new partnership will result in more consumer research into golf and consequently assist the PGA with tuition and coaching aspects of the game with professionals.

Is golf too elitist? Have your say.