It has found the economic benefits of people playing in Orange was valued at $11.2 million, well ahead of other local government areas in the Central West, Orana and Far West NSW regions.

The next best was Bathurst on $9.4 million and Dubbo on $7.5 million.

The Community Impact of Golf in NSW report also found golf provided health benefits.

It found money from regular participants, association and club expenditure, club events, coaching and retail sales were highest in Orange.

However golf tourism brought in more money in Bathurst ($815,000) and Dubbo ($1.1 million) than Orange ($705,000). Orange has two courses, at Duntryleague and Wentworth.

Duntryleague Golf Club president John Cook said more people were playing, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've seen an increase. We have a bit over 1000 [playing] golfers and about 1000 social members," he said.

While that is partly due to picking up extra members following the closure of the former Country Club course at Bloomfield he said there was also a resurgence of interest in the game.

"It kept going right through COVID," he said.

"We've seen a lot of members who were members in the past [return]."

Mr Cook said accommodation at Duntryleague was regularly booked by visiting golfers, many well in advance. "Orange is a popular destination as well," he said.

He said increased demand had led to the club keeping two days a week, Wednesday and Saturday, restricted to members and people staying in the guesthouse.

Orange golfer Jo Hunter said she played three times a fortnight at Duntryleague.

"You can definitely see how much busier the course is," Mrs Hunter said.

"A lot more people connected with golf during COVID because it was one of the few things you could do."

She said playing golf kept people active.

"Absolutely, you probably walk 7-8 kilometres when you are playing 18 holes. Ladies in their 80s are still walking the 18 holes."

She said adding up the scorecard, enjoying fresh air and being with other people also contributed to people's mental well-being.

Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser said golf participation had increased by 4.2 per cent in regional NSW since the COVID outbreak including an increase in the number of younger players.

"This new wave of keen golfers taking to the course has also included more millennials, an age demographic that the industry has traditionally had difficulty connecting with," he said.

Mr Fraser said golf courses around the state also offered environmental benefits.

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