Harper Lin
Golf has been an Olympic sport for some time, but its inclusion has been inconsistent. The sport was featured in the 1900 and 1904 Games, but then dropped from the Olympic programme for over a century. In 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to reinstate golf, and it made its return at Rio 2016. Since then, golf has featured in the Summer Olympics, with the most recent occurrence at Tokyo 2021, and will be included in the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is golf an Olympic sport? | Yes |
| When did golf become an Olympic sport? | 1900, 1904, 2016, 2021, 2024 |
| How often is golf played in the Olympics? | Twice since its reintroduction in 2016 |
| How many players compete in Olympic golf? | 120 players (60 per gender) in 2024 |
| How many countries are represented in Olympic golf? | 32 countries in 2024 |
| How many golf medals are awarded? | 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze in 2024 |
| What is the format of Olympic golf? | Individual stroke play |
| How many holes are played in Olympic golf? | 72 holes |
| What is the venue for golf in the 2024 Olympics? | Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's Olympic history
Golf has had a sporadic history as an Olympic sport. It is believed that golf was first practised in the Netherlands under the name "colf" or "kolven" and arrived in Britain in the 15th century. The first rules of the game were established in the Scottish city of St. Andrews in 1754.
Golf officially featured in the Summer Olympic Games programme in 1900 in Paris, with both men's and women's competitions held. The USA's Charles Edward Sands and Margaret Ives Abbott won the men's and women's events, respectively. Golf was also contested at the 1904 St. Louis Games, but only men participated. Canada's George Lyon won the gold medal.
After the 1904 Games, golf was dropped from the Olympic programme. It was scheduled to be held in 1908 and 1920 but was cancelled both times due to a lack of participants. In 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to reinstate golf for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Since its reinstatement, Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play. The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris marked the third time golf was played at the Olympics in the modern era, with 60 golfers from 32 countries competing in each of the men's and women's tournaments.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics, a new mixed team event will be introduced, consisting of 16 pairs drawn from those who have qualified for the Olympic tournaments, featuring alternate shot and four-ball rounds.
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Rules and gameplay
Golf was recognised as an Olympic sport in 1900 and 1904, but it was dropped from the Olympic programme after the 1904 Games. The sport was then reinstated for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and has featured in every Games since. It will be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where a mixed team event will be introduced.
Golf is played on a course, with the aim of the game being to hit a ball with a club from the tee into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Each hole has a par score, which is the number of shots a high-quality golfer should take to complete it. The shortest holes are par-3s, followed by par-4s, and then par-5s. Players can go over or under par for each hole, and their scores are calculated based on this. For example, if a player takes one less shot to finish a hole than its par, their score for that hole is one-under par.
Each hole is unique, with its own topography, and a mixture of hazards such as sand traps and water bodies. Players start each hole from the tee box, and for this shot only, they may elevate the ball off the ground using a tee. For subsequent shots, the ball must be played as it lies, and players are not allowed to alter their environment in any way. If a player deems a shot unplayable, they can take a distance and one-stroke penalty to resume playing.
The Olympic golf competition is an individual stroke-play tournament consisting of 72 holes played over four days. The golfer with the lowest cumulative score at the end of the four rounds wins the gold medal.
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Famous golfers at the Olympics
Golf made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1900 and was also contested at the 1904 Olympic Games. However, the sport was not featured again until the 2016 Olympics, and it has since become a regular event, with 60 of the world's top golfers competing for the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 1900 Olympics saw 22 golfers compete, while the 1904 edition featured 77 golfers. Albert Lambert was the only golfer to compete in both editions. The 1904 gold medallist, George Lyon of Canada, was the sole entrant in the 1904 tournament due to a boycott by British golfers over a dispute regarding the format. Lyon was offered the gold medal by default but refused it.
Some of the famous golfers competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics include Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark of the United States. Rory McIlroy of Ireland, Ludvig Åberg of Sweden, Viktor Hovland of Norway, and Jon Rahm of Spain are also among the top-ranked golfers participating.
Team USA's Nelly Korda, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic golf champion, and her teammate Rose Zhang are notable mentions in the women's category. They entered the final round of the women's Olympic golf tournament at Le Golf National with strong medal prospects.
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Golf's relevance as an Olympic sport
Golf's inclusion in the Olympic Games has been a topic of discussion for many years, with a history dating back to the early 20th century. The sport was first introduced at the 1900 Games in Paris, with both men's and women's competitions taking place. However, after the 1904 Games, golf was dropped from the Olympic programme. It made a brief comeback in 1920, but the tournaments were cancelled due to a lack of entries.
After a long absence, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to reinstate golf as an Olympic sport for the 2016 Games in Rio. This decision sparked some debate within the golfing community, with players having mixed feelings about the idea of golf as an Olympic sport. Some golfers prioritised other championships due to their busy schedules, and the Olympic gold medal was not seen as the pinnacle of success in golf, as it is in many other sports.
However, over time, the perception has evolved. The 2024 Olympics in Paris marks the third consecutive edition of the Games featuring golf, with the sport's elite competing for medals. The format has remained consistent, with separate men's and women's individual stroke play events, and a maximum of four players per nation in each tournament.
The inclusion of golf in the Olympics has provided an opportunity for golfers to represent their countries and experience the Olympic spirit. The sport has attracted high-profile golfers, including major champions and top-ranked players. The competition has been intense, with golfers aiming to shoot the lowest scores to claim the coveted gold medals.
As golf continues to feature in the Olympic programme, it remains to be seen whether it will fully establish itself as a permanent and widely accepted Olympic sport. The addition of a new mixed team event for the 2028 Summer Olympics is a step towards further engagement and interest in Olympic golf.
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Mixed team events
Golf was reintroduced as an Olympic sport in 2016, after a 112-year absence. Since its return, Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play.
In April 2025, it was announced that a new mixed team event will be added to golf for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The event will consist of 16 pairs drawn from those who have qualified for the Olympic tournaments, with each pair playing alternate shot and four-ball rounds.
The addition of a mixed team event to the Olympic golf programme is a significant development, as it will allow male and female golfers to compete alongside each other and represent their countries together. This format will also add a new dimension to Olympic golf, as it will require different skills and strategies compared to individual stroke play.
The mixed team event will also provide an opportunity for golfers who may not have otherwise qualified for the Olympic Games to participate and represent their countries. This can help to grow the sport of golf globally and increase its popularity, particularly among those who may be inspired to take up the sport after watching their compatriots compete on the Olympic stage.
While the specific details of the mixed team event, such as the qualifying criteria and competition format, are yet to be finalised, the addition of this event to the Olympic programme is a positive step towards promoting gender equality and diversity in golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is an Olympic sport.
Golf was first introduced at the 1900 Games in Paris, with both men's and women's competitions. It was also played in 1904, but then dropped from the Olympic programme. In 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to reinstate the sport, and it made its return at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Golf has been played at every Summer Olympics since its return in 2016, including Rio, Tokyo, and Paris in 2024.
There are separate individual events for men and women, each consisting of 72-hole stroke-play tournaments. The player with the lowest score wins gold, second place wins silver, and third place wins bronze.
