Should golf be in the Olympics?
Well, you make golf at the Olympics an amateur event. Sure, watching those yet to make the step up to the professional ranks battling out for medals wouldn’t do much for the casual golf fan.
What are the advantages of the Olympics?
The Olympics is the biggest international competition in that sport. 2. The best players in the world want to play the Olympics. 3. The sport is played at high level in a few dozen countries.
Should soccer be part of the Olympics?
Of course not. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It should absolutely be part of the biggest international sporting event in the world. No, Olympic soccer is not nearly as big as the World Cup. But soccer belongs here, because soccer is played everywhere. You may say, “But, but, but … the IOC is bringing baseball back in 2020.
Which golfers have pulled out of the Olympics?
Jordan Spieth pulled out. Jason Day pulled out. So did Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott. Rory McIlroy pulled out, then said he wouldn’t even watch golf at the Olympics; apparently he was worried about getting Zika through his TV. I don’t question their patriotism.

Why is golf part of the Olympics?
Way back at the start of the 20th century, the Games of Paris, France, including golf as one of its 19 different sports. Both men and women's competitions were held with Charles Sands representing the USA picking up the gold medal ahead of two British players.
Why golf should not be in the Olympics?
Competing in the Olympics Doesn't Matter to Pros Professional golfers do not need a tournament they don't get paid for, or another item on their congested golfing calendars. Professional golfers care about playing in the Olympics about as much as professional soccer players do—that is, not very much.
How will golf work in the Olympics?
Golf individual stroke play at the Olympics, explained: The course is the same for all four rounds. Rounds have lasted typically more than four hours. Three rounds completed, fourth round underway for women. Combined standings at the end of this round will decide medals.
Will golf be an Olympic sport?
For the second consecutive Olympic Games, golf will be one of the events taking place. It will be featured for the fourth time in Olympic history after making a comeback at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Before Rio, golf had not been a part of the Olympics since the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.
Is golf popular in the Olympics?
Because there's no money on offer in the Olympics — and that puts it way down the list of most golfers' priorities. In truth, golf has about as much place in the Olympic Games as competitive eating and, having seen the golf at the 2016 Games, I know which I'd rather watch.
Is golf always in the Olympics?
1921: Golf was removed from the list of optional sports at the VII IOC Congress held in Lausanne. Re-entry • 2009: At the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen in October, it was decided to re-include golf on the programme of the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
When did golf join the Olympics?
1900Golf in the Olympic Games It was on May 27, 1899, that the Organising Committee for the 1900 Games included golf in the list of sports to be featured on the programme for the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900.
Is Olympic a golf team?
Though golf was officially re-introduced to the Olympics at Rio 2016, the sport may see a spike in popularity following some dramatic and crowd-pleasing results at the Tokyo Games, where Team USA struck gold in both the men's and women's events....Medal table.CountryUnited StatesGold2Silver0Bronze0Total24 more columns•Aug 7, 2021
Who qualifies for Olympic golf?
The top-15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.
Why golf is a 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.
PROS
At Rio, golf will return as an Olympic sport after a 112 year absence. There’s no questioning the exposure the Olympics can provide. Close to 220 million Americans tuned into the 2012 games, and billions more around the world. Golf will have an opportunity with a good showing in Rio to become an even more international sport than it currently is.
CONS
The golf course is being built on a section of land that was formerly part of the Marapendi Municipal Natural Park. The more than 610 acre park is used for leisure and environmental education – which is where the issues come in.
Your Voice
You’ve read our pros and cons. Now we want to know what you think. Should golf be an Olympic sport, and if so, should it be open to professional athletes or to amateurs? Do you like the stroke play format, or should it be something unique or team oriented?
Why shouldn't golf be in the Olympics?
Why Golf Shouldn't Be in the Olympics. Golf has not been an Olympic sport since the 1904 games in St. Louis, where George Lyon of Canada took the gold medal. Although the 2009 International Olympic Committee decision to add golf to the Olympic program has been greeted with much fanfare, the decision is ultimately not a good one for professional ...
What is Tiger Woods' take on Olympic golf?
The following unbylined quote from Tiger Woods sums up the professionals’ take on Olympic Golf: " It would be great to have an Olympic gold medal...but if you asked any player, 'Would you rather have an Olympic gold medal or green jacket or Claret Jug...more players would say the majors."
Will the Olympics dilute golf?
Last week, newly-ordained Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said that he felt Olympic Golf will “dilute” the four major championships. This is both as a function where the Olympics fall on the calendar—between the Open Championship and the PGA—and the fact that professional golf already has four “pinnacle” events during the same relative period of time. Jamming another “significant” event into top professionals' already-overburdened summer schedules adversely influences the majors.
Do golfers care about the Olympics?
Professional golfers care about playing in the Olympics about as much as professional soccer players do—that is, not very much. A significant portion of pros, including Ernie Els and Nick Faldo, think that Olympic Golf is the business of amateurs, not professionals.
What do not belong at the Olympics?
Certain things do not belong at the Olympics: performance-enhancing drugs, green water in the diving pool, Vladimir Putin and men’s golf. Definitely men’s golf. Even the format is dumb. It’s four rounds of stroke play, which is boring and makes Olympic golf just like any PGA Tour event that’s missing some stars.
How many overage players are allowed in the Olympics?
FIFA limits men’s Olympic rosters to the best 23-and-under players, but each team gets three overage exceptions, and most of the biggest stars skip the Olympics. Olympic men’s soccer is not nearly as big as the World Cup.
What is the most played sport in the world?
Basketball is one of the most-played sports in the world, and it has a long and storied Olympic history. Mention 1972 or 1992 to a longtime basketball fan, and those Olympics come to mind immediately. Bogut, The Boomers and the future: How Australia found a hoops culture.
Why did Curry skip the Olympics?
First of all, James has participated in three Olympics. He skipped it this time to rest his body because the NBA season is long and he turns 32 in December. Curry would be here if he hadn’t gotten hurt this spring. Basketball is one of the most-played sports in the world, and it has a long and storied Olympic history.
Does golf need the Olympics?
Ledecky survives toughest test, moves closer to first freestyle sweep since 1968. You may say, “Hey, hey, hey. Golf is just like tennis. Both have four major championships and don’t need the Olympics.
Did Novak Djokovic win an Olympic gold medal?
It seemed to hit him that he won’t win an Olympic gold medal, and in that moment, being No. 1 in the world was no consolation. That’s why tennis belongs.
Will baseball ever be in the Olympics?
You may say, “But, but, but … the IOC is bringing baseball back in 2020. That’s not a worldwide sport, and the best players won’t be there, and baseball doesn’t need the Olympics because the best professional leagues bring in a ton of revenue!”. I agree, baseball should not be part of the Olympics. Softball should be, sure.
