Golf courses are now found in 85% of the countries on earth – 208 of the world’s 245 nations.
Full Answer
Is golf the most common sport?
Despite the status of elite entertainment for aristocrats and rich people, golf is now one of the most common sports in the world. About 70 million people are engaged in it all over the Earth, and these are only official players: sportsmen, members of federations and golf clubs.
How many people play golf in the world?
About 70 million people are engaged in it all over the Earth, and these are only official players: sportsmen, members of federations and golf clubs. The number of simple golf enthusiasts around the world is incalculable.
Which countries have the most golf courses?
Despite golf’s pervasive reach, the top 20 golfing countries account for 89% of the global supply. Canada is a distant second to the U.S. with 2,295 facilities, followed closely by Japan with 2,290.
Is golf an Olympic sport?
The International Olympic Committee considers golf a sport. The Olympics are the ultimate worldwide sporting event, and golf was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion starting in 2016.
Is golf a worldwide sport?
Still, there are a few outliers like Spain and Italy where people enjoy the sport. Like with other countries, Asian and European countries host events, but usually nothing as big as the competitions in the United States and the United Kingdom. As you can see, golf is popular all over the world.
How many countries is golf played?
According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation, golf is now played in 206 of 251 countries and dependent territories. That includes a nine-hole course on Christmas Island. Around 82 percent of the world's countries have golf courses, totaling more than 38,000.
Is golf considered as sport?
Golf, although not requiring brutal strength, is a sport. Golf is a legitimate sport because it is highly competitive, requires mental capacity, and demands physical extortion and muscle use. A big part of any sport, especially golf, is being competitive. Golf is seen as just a game, but golfers are highly competitive.
In what country did golf officially become a sport?
ScotlandGolf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
Which country loves golf the most?
1. IRELAND. Despite the fact that golf was invented in Scotland, their next door neighbor, Ireland, is the most popular country for the sport.
Is golf popular in Asia?
There are billions of golf tourist dollars up for grabs, and Asian golf is getting more popular every year.
Why do people say golf isn't a sport?
The fact that golf can be difficult and requires practice and skill to achieve proficiency does not mean it qualifies as a sport. Brain surgery, chess, and computer programming are difficult tasks that also require practice and mental acuity, but they are clearly not sports.
Is golf a sport by definition?
1. Golf fulfills the definition of a sport. According to Merriam-Webster, a sport is "a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other." There's no doubt golf fulfills that definition, especially the part about the rules.
When was golf considered a sport?
The modern game of golf originated in 15th century Scotland. The 18-hole round was created at the Old Course at St Andrews in 1764....Golf.CharacteristicsEquipmentBall, clubs, teeGlossaryGlossary of golfPresenceOlympic1900, 1904, 2016, 20205 more rows
Is golf an American sport?
However, it is generally accepted that modern golf developed in Scotland from the Middle Ages onwards. The game did not find international popularity until the late 19th century, when it spread into the rest of the United Kingdom and then to the British Empire and the United States.
Why is golf called golf?
The word 'golf' is not an acronym for anything. Rather, it derives linguistically from the Dutch word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' meaning quite simply 'club. ' In the Scottish dialect of the late 14th or early 15th century, the Dutch term became 'goff' or 'gouff,' and only later in the 16th century 'golf.
How did golf become a global sport?
Although golf was a relatively late forming sport in the United States, often eclipsed by baseball and other sports developed in the 19th century, the spread of the sport encouraged by British immigrants and professionalization for the sport helped it become of the major sports of interest in the United States.
Which sport is the most popular in Ireland?
See also the lists of popular sports in many countries. Golf is most popular, based on online searches for that term, in Ireland. By the large list below it is clear how well the game of golf has spread around the world.
Is golf popular in the world?
Popularity of Golf Around the World. Golf is played around the world, though it is more popular in certain countries. Here we use online search traffic for the term 'Golf' to analyze which countries it is more popular. See also the lists of popular sports in many countries.
What is a sport?
According to Merriam-Webster, a sport is "a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other.". There's no doubt golf fulfills that definition, especially the part about the rules. There are lots of those in golf.
Is golf an aces sport?
Therefore, golf, which returned to the Olympics in 2016 after more than a century absence, is aces. And I can certainly argue that it' s more sporty than longtime Olympic events like archery or curling.
Is golf harder than Olympic sports?
Golf has all of that in droves, plus you can argue that performing on a high level is more exacting and difficult than most Olympic sports. 3. Tiger Woods solidified golf's sporting status. The way Tiger Woods played golf could be compared to the way Michael Jordan, Tom Brady or Derek Jeter defined their sports.
Is golf hard?
Golf is really hard, in case you haven’t heard. So the argument that golf isn't a sport, at least not one on par with baseball, football, hockey and baseball, or even individual sports like tennis, for that matter, is worn out.
Do college golfers have to carry their own bags?
And while the tour players have caddies, college players, for example, do not and have to carry their own bags. It's one of the reasons serious golfers put a lot of cardio work in their training regimes as well as strength and flexibility work. Oh, and if you think taking a golf cart isn't taxing, think again.
How many times has a golfer been named female athlete of the year?
5. The Associated Press has named a golfer its "Female Athlete of the Year" 24 times (30% of honorees) since the award began in 1931; a golfer has been named "Male Athlete of the Year" nine times (11% of honorees). [ 5] People who view this page may also like: 1.
When was golf removed from the Olympics?
After being included in the 1900 and 1904 Olympic games, golf was removed for what will have been a 112-year absence before returning in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Race walking, pistol shooting, and rhythmic gymnastics have been in the Olympics longer than golf. [ 2] .
What is a game?
Merriam-Webster defines a game as an “activity engaged in for diversion or amusement.”. [ 27] Dictionary.com says a game is “an amusement or pastime; a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.”.
Is golf a defense sport?
Golf does not require defense against the player’s opponent. Some people think that if an activity does not involve defense or an opponent trying to affect your performance, then it is not a sport. In hockey, a player can steal the puck and a goalie can block a shot.
Is golf a sport in the Olympics?
Golf has been excluded from the Olympics for more than a century, as have other non-sports, including croquet (last included in 1900), motorboat racing (last competition in 1908), and tug of war (last done in 1920).
Is golf a sport?
Proponents say that golf meets the definition of “sport” found in the dictionary, requires physical exertion and coordination, and is recognized as a sport by sporting goods companies, athletic associations, fans, the media, and more. They point to golf’s inclusion in the Olympics starting in 2016 as further evidence of its qualification as a sport.
Can you get injured playing golf?
The possibility of getting injured while playing golf does not make it a sport. Many non-sport activities, such as sitting at a desk and typing all day, lifting a heavy box, or sleeping in the wrong position, also commonly lead to injuries. [ 35] [ 36] Read More.
Why is golf not considered a sport?
1. No Athleticism Required . A point that a lot of people that do not consider golf a sport love to make is that golfers are not athletic. Do not misunderstand that comment and think ...
What is a sport?
According to Dictionary.com, a sport is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.
Why is there competition in golf?
There is competition because you can compete with other golfers in various types of tournaments and formats such as match play. There is skill involved because you can obviously improve at the game and luck is only a very small percentage of the end result.
Is golf athletic or out of shape?
But there are certainly people who are good at golf and not athletic. It is a valid point because when casual golf fans turn on the television, they might see golfers that are very out of shape and do not look impressive in their physique or body composition.
Do you need fitness to play golf?
Fitness. There is no doubt that you need a good level of fitness to play golf. Sure, there are golf carts and aids to reduce the strain, but imagine playing and walking 18-holes multiple times per week. Heck, some players play a round EVERY DAY.
Is golf a competitive sport?
No Competitive Aspect. With golf there are basically two different settings that the game is played in. There are tournaments and there are casual golf rounds. When talking about casual golf rounds, many people argue that golf is not a sport after referring to the true definition of what a sport is. Remember that there needs to be ...
How many Americans play golf?
alone, golf is estimated to be a $76 billion industry. In recent polls, it is suggested that 38% of Americans consider themselves to be golf fans, and 25.7 million Americans play golf. Clearly, there can be no questioning golf's ...
Where did golf originate?
Modern golf in the form in which we know it today originated from 15th century Scotland, but a similar activity can be dated as far back as the game of paganica in Ancient Rome or chuiwan, a Chinese game which was first played in the eighth century. Golf is a multi-billion dollar industry which continues to grow in America and throughout the world, ...
How many calories do you burn playing golf?
An hour of golf without a cart or caddie burns, on average, 360 calories. By comparison, an hour of basketball burns 727 calories, soccer over 900 and boxing even more than that. Golfers who use a cart burn around 208 calories, meaning that walking constitutes 42% of the work in golfing. Given that walking is not considered a major part of golf, as ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court in the PGA Tour v. Martin case of 2001, golf itself, which is the integral part of the sport, requires almost as much effort as the walking, which is not.
How old are the oldest sports players?
In most sports, athletes have a peak and an expiry date. Most soccer players retire around the age of 35, and most highly competitive sports have similar or even younger average retirement ages. The oldest ever professional soccer player was 50, the oldest American football player was 48, the oldest basketball player was 52, the oldest tennis player was 49 and the oldest rugby union player 40. Yet the oldest golfer was 79 years of age. Furthermore, whilst in most sports players deteriorate with age, some golfers find their best form late in life, such as Tom Watson who almost won the British Open aged 59. While it's all well and good that golfers can hit their prime later in life, is that really the sign of a sport? Sure, an activity requiring strong mental acumen and lots of experience, but not one to display peak athleticism.
How old is the oldest golfer?
Yet the oldest golfer was 79 years of age. Furthermore, whilst in most sports players deteriorate with age, some golfers find their best form late in life, such as Tom Watson who almost won the British Open aged 59.
Is golf a sport?
The fact that there is an element of competition, that is to say, a number of individuals competing against one and another, and scores are kept and tallied up throughout, some believe, is sufficient evidence that golf is a sport. While both elements are common to both golf and almost all other sports, they do not, in of themselves, qualify golf as a sport. For example, spelling bees and poker have both of these elements, but few would argue that they should be considered sports.
Is golf an Olympic sport?
While golf will be an Olympic sport at the 2016 Summer Olympics, it hadn't been an Olympic sport since 1904 prior to the decision to include it in Rio. The decision has been heavily criticized from some quarters, with suggestions that golf has only been re-introduced and had its 112 year absence ended because of its growing popularity, and the lucrative sponsorship opportunities it brings. Whilst some claim the decision shows golf is a sport, the likes of race walking and pistol shooting are all Olympic events, and the tug of war was even competed more recently (1920) than golf.
Does Golf Meet the Definition of Sport?
In looking at the definitions, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Common Arguments
Here are some common arguments and opinions that drive the debate of whether golf is a true sport.
Golf and the NCAA
Golf is recognized as a sport by the NCAA. In fact, it has sponsored a national championship in men's golf since 1939 and a women's college golf championship since 1982.
Golf and the Olympics
Golf is also as an Olympic sport. Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reinstated the game.
Conclusion
Golf is, without a doubt, a sport. Just because it’s not as physical and can be more leisurely than faster, high-profile sports should not exclude it from the category. Professional golfers who have devoted their lives to the game have a body of work to prove those who say otherwise.
About the Author
Todd Mrowice is a Staff Writer for GolfLink. He has been writing about golf for over 10 years including a long tenure at GOLFChicago Magazine. Todd has covered all aspects of the game including travel, products, business, and professional tours.