Trevor Ng
Golf was reintroduced to the Olympic Games in 2016, after a long absence. However, since its return, Olympic golf competitions have only consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play. There have been calls for a team tournament, and in April 2025, it was announced that a new mixed team event will be added to golf for the 2028 Summer Olympics. This will consist of 16 pairs drawn from those who have qualified for the Olympic tournaments, and will include alternate shot and four-ball rounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First featured in Olympics | 1900 |
| Contested in Olympics | 1904 |
| Number of participants in Paris 2024 Olympics | 120 (60 men and 60 women) |
| Governing body for golf at the Olympic Games | International Golf Federation (IGF) |
| Qualifying criteria | Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) |
| Number of players eligible for Olympics | Top 15 world-ranked players |
| Team golf in Olympics | Not yet introduced, but expected to be added in 2028 |
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What You'll Learn
Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016
Golf made its return to the Olympics in 2016, after a hiatus of over a century. The sport was last featured in the 1904 Games, and its reintroduction in 2016 was not without opposition. However, on October 9, 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in favour of including golf in the 2016 Summer Olympics, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The return of golf to the Olympic fold was the result of a concerted effort by leaders in the sport, including the LPGA, PGA Tour, USGA, R&A, and European Tour. For 18 months, retired LPGA Commissioner and consultant Votaw travelled the globe, lobbying International Olympic Committee members to include golf in the Games. The chosen site for the 2016 Games, Rio de Janeiro, did not have a suitable golf course, so a new course was constructed, which later became a public facility—the only one of its kind in Brazil.
The 2016 Olympic golf competitions consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play. Qualification was based primarily on the Official World Golf Ranking for men and the Women's World Golf Rankings, with the top 15 of each gender automatically qualifying (with a limit of four per country), and the highest-ranked players from countries that had not yet qualified two players.
The United States sent the largest contingent of golfers to the 2016 Games, although several players opted out due to concerns about the Zika virus. Notable medallists in the men's competition included Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who took silver, and Justin Rose, who became the first player in Olympic history to record a hole-in-one. In the women's competition, 19-year-old Lydia Ko of New Zealand won silver, while Inbee Park of South Korea captured gold.
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Olympic golf is individual stroke play
Golf was first featured in the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 and again in 1904. However, it was not until 2016 that golf became a fixture at the Olympics. Since its reintroduction, Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play. Qualification is based primarily on the Official World Golf Ranking for men and the Women's World Golf Rankings, with the top 15 of each gender automatically qualifying (with a maximum of four per country). Thereafter, the highest-ranked players from countries that have not yet qualified for two players are considered.
In 2025, it was announced that a new mixed team event would be introduced for the 2028 Summer Olympics. This event will consist of 16 pairs drawn from those who have qualified for the Olympic tournaments, with alternate shot and four-ball rounds.
While Olympic golf is currently played as individual stroke play, there have been calls for the International Golf Federation (IGF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider adding a match play tournament and/or a team tournament. Suggestions have also been made to open up the Olympic tournament to more golfers by using a different qualifying system than the World Golf Ranking.
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will feature both men's and women's individual stroke play competitions. This will be the second time that Paris has hosted the Olympic Games, with the city previously hosting in 1900 and 1924.
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A mixed team event will be added in 2028
Golf was first recognised as a sport in the Summer Olympic Games in 1900, and again in 1904. However, it was not until 2016 that it became a fixture at the Olympics. Since its reintroduction, Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play.
There have been calls for the International Golf Federation (IGF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider adding a match play tournament, a team tournament, and/or to open up the Olympic tournament to more golfers. In April 2025, it was announced that a new mixed team event will be added to golf for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This will be the first time a team event will be included in Olympic golf.
The mixed team event will feature 16 pairs drawn from those who have qualified for the Olympic tournaments, with one male and one female athlete from the individual competitions. The competition will consist of alternate shot and four-ball rounds, with each team playing one round of foursomes (alternate shot) and one of four-ball (best ball). The event will be held over 36 holes, with each round played over 18 holes.
The inclusion of a mixed team event in Olympic golf is in line with the IOC's move towards adding mixed gender events in other sports, such as relays in swimming and track and field. It also aligns with the IOC's goal of achieving gender equality in terms of medal opportunities for male and female athletes at the Olympic Games. The LA 2028 organising committee has expressed its full support for the concept, and the IGF is recognised by the IOC as the governing body for all matters related to Olympic golf.
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Olympic golf rankings are based on world rankings
Golf has been an Olympic sport since 1900, with its most recent reintroduction in 2016. The Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) is based on the official world golf rankings. The International Golf Federation (IGF) is responsible for determining eligibility for the Olympics using these rankings. The rankings are calculated and updated weekly, with the top 15 world-ranked players eligible for the Olympics, with a maximum of four players from each country.
Beyond the top 15, players are eligible based on their world ranking, with a maximum of two players from countries that have not yet qualified two players in the top 15. This system aims to ensure a diverse representation of countries in the Olympic golf competitions. The OGR is calculated every Monday, following the completion of the previous week's tournaments worldwide, and is updated on the IGF website every Tuesday.
The Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play. Each competition features 60 players, making a total of 120 golfers at the Olympics. There have been calls for the IGF and the IOC to introduce a team tournament and potentially open up the Olympic tournament to more golfers.
In April 2025, it was announced that a mixed team event would be introduced for the 2028 Summer Olympics. This new format will be contested by 16 pairs drawn from the qualified Olympic golfers and will consist of alternate shot and four-ball rounds. The addition of a team event in 2028 showcases the ongoing evolution of Olympic golf, responding to the desires of golfers and fans alike.
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Team USA has been successful in Olympic golf
Golf has not traditionally been included in the Olympic Games, featuring only twice before 2016—in 1900 and 1904. However, since its reintroduction to the Olympic programme in 2016, Team USA has enjoyed several successes in Olympic golf.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Nelly Korda claimed Olympic gold in the women's golf competition. Korda, the World No. 1 player, maintained her lead with a third-round 2-under 69 and ultimately won by three strokes. Korda's gold medal was the first for the U.S. in Olympic golf since 1904.
The success continued for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Scottie Scheffler adding an Olympic Golf gold medal to his two Masters Green Jackets. Scheffler was joined on the podium by his U.S. teammate Xander Schauffele, who won the silver medal.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics, a new mixed team event will be added to the golf competition. This will provide another opportunity for Team USA to showcase their golfing prowess on the Olympic stage.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not currently. Since golf's return to the Olympics in 2016, it has been an individual stroke-play event.
Golf was first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1900 and also featured in 1904. However, there is no mention of team golf in the Olympics until 2025, when it was announced that a mixed team event would be added for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
There has been a growing desire to add a team element to the competition, either mixed with men and women players or otherwise. However, it is unclear how organisers could incorporate both men and women into the same event.
Olympic golf competitions consist of men's and women's individual stroke play. Qualification is based primarily on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Women's World Golf Rankings, with the top 15 of each gender automatically qualifying (with a limit of four per country).
The next Olympic golf competition with teams is expected to take place at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
