The report titled The Community Impact of Golf in NSW found the economic benefits of people playing in Bathurst was valued at $9.49 million, the second best behind Orange (valued at $11.27 million) in all other local government areas in the Central West, Orana and Far West NSW regions.

Dubbo came in at third, valued at $7.52 million and Mid-Western (the government area that includes Mudgee) came in at $4.67 million.

Bathurst was second in the list when comparing the amount of golf tourism money it brought into the local government area, at an estimated $815,000, behind Dubbo ($1.11 million), with Orange ($705,000) in third.

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Bathurst Golf Club general manager Brad Constable has seen a massive increase in regards to rounds of golf played and registered members in the past year.

"The club saw a direct increase of approximately 8000 rounds of golf on the previous year and as of December 31 2020 we were up 75 new playing members on the previous year," he said.

With Bathurst being valued as the second best golfing local government area in the report, Mr Constable said it's a testament to the work the club has been doing in recent years.

"It just re-enforces the fact that we as a club are doing things well," he said.

"A goal of the club about six years ago was to increase our profile and this was done through hosting major events in conjunction with Golf NSW and Bathurst Regional Council.

"We also targeted metro and regional areas for golfing tourism and the report re-enforces the fact we are pro-active in attracting visitors to Bathurst and the surrounding region which is definitely something to be proud of."

Mr Constable said there's plenty of health benefits to playing golf.

"Fresh air, exercise, but most importantly I believe the mental health benefits, especially through the worst of COVID-19, is the biggest plus in the game when you consider the companionship and friendships developed as well as the ability to connect outdoors and switch off for a little while," he said.

The report found that golf has delivered around $1.32 billion in environmental, social, health, and community benefits across NSW and the ACT annually.

While many other sports were sidelined in 2020, golf remained accessible, with participation increasing, evidenced by a rise in club membership of 4.2 per cent in regional areas.

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