Jackson Reid
Golf in China has experienced a surge in popularity, with the country now boasting some world-class facilities and golfers. Despite golf being outlawed in China during the mid-20th century as a sport for millionaires, the first Communist-era golf course was built in 1984, and the sport has grown significantly since then. In 2012, reports claimed that around a million Chinese played golf, and the number is expected to continue rising. With the country's rapid economic growth and increasing personal wealth, golf has become an attractive recreational sport for businesspeople and officials. China now hosts several prestigious golf tournaments and has produced successful golfers such as Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, and Shanshan Feng. However, golf remains an expensive sport for the general public, with high green fees and membership costs.
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What You'll Learn
- Golf in China is a growing industry, with numerous golf courses being established
- Golf is considered expensive and is the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials
- China has produced several world-class golfers
- Golf was banned in China in the mid-20th century and outlawed again in 2004
- Golf is played at night in some places in China
Golf in China is a growing industry, with numerous golf courses being established
While golf is considered prohibitively expensive for the general public in China, it is the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials. The sport attracts foreign investment and overseas golfers from countries such as South Korea, Australia, and Japan due to its relatively inexpensive fees for visitors.
China has become a hub for world-class golf courses and tournaments, such as the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, the TCL Classic and Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island, the Volvo China Open, and the BMW Asian Open. Hainan Island, in particular, has nearly a thousand miles of coastline and 300 days of sunshine per year, making it an ideal location for golf. The island currently has around 60 courses and is expected to see dozens more in the future.
The development of golf courses in China has not been without its challenges. In 2004, the government implemented a ban to limit the number of golf courses due to environmental concerns and the illegal use of space. However, the number of courses has continued to grow, and by 2017, there were 683 golf courses in the country, with all province-level divisions except Tibet having at least one.
Despite the sport's association with corruption and its reputation as a rich man's game, golf in China is evolving. Chinese golf officials are working to produce a megastar who can help promote the sport to the burgeoning middle class. With the increasing personal wealth in China and the growing number of millionaires, the golf industry is expected to continue expanding, attracting both local and foreign golfers seeking to enjoy the country's world-class facilities.
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Golf is considered expensive and is the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials
Golf is considered an expensive sport in China, with green fees and memberships often being pricier than in developed nations. For instance, at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, the initiation fee is $170,000 with $1,800 in annual dues. The exclusive nature of the sport has led to its association with the elite, particularly businesspeople and officials.
In the mid-20th century, China outlawed golf, deeming it a "sport for millionaires". It wasn't until 1984 that the country's first Communist-era golf course was constructed. Since then, China has witnessed a surge in golf courses and players. The sport's popularity peaked in the early 2000s when it was embraced by the country's highest leaders. During this boom, Dan Washburn wrote "The Forbidden Game", capturing the momentous changes occurring in China at the time.
Despite a ban in 2004 that aimed to limit the number of golf courses due to environmental concerns, the number of courses has continued to rise. As of 2017, all of China's province-level divisions, except Tibet, had at least one golf course. The rapid growth in the number of golf courses can be attributed to the increasing personal wealth in China. The average Chinese citizen now has ten times the purchasing power compared to a quarter of a century ago, and the nation will soon have over a million millionaires.
While the exact number of golfers in China is uncertain, reports from 2012 estimated that around one million Chinese played the sport. The sport attracts foreign golfers and investors, particularly from countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan, due to the relatively inexpensive fees.
Golf in China is primarily associated with the wealthy and powerful. The sport is often tied to resorts, with many courses located on Hainan Island, known for its favourable climate and scenic landscape. The island boasts around 60 courses, making it a popular destination for golfers seeking an escape from the polluted air of cities like Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
The high costs of playing golf in China have contributed to its reputation as a sport for the elite. However, it is important to note that the country is also home to world-class golfers, including Liang Wenchong, Shanshan Feng, and Wu Ashun, who have achieved success in international tournaments.
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China has produced several world-class golfers
Golf in China is a growing industry, with a surge in the number of golf courses being established, especially in the province of Hainan. Despite golf being considered prohibitively expensive for the general public, it is a popular sport among businesspeople and officials.
Other notable Chinese golfers include Ding Wenyi, who won the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, and Li Haotong, who plays on the European Tour and has won four times. Li is known for his aggressive style and powerful driving, showcasing the evolution of Chinese golf. Yuan Yechun is another rising star, combining modern power with classical technique.
China's first golf course was constructed in 1984, and the sport has grown in popularity since, with over 500 golf courses in the country as of 2021. The growth of golf in China has been influenced by pioneers such as Zhang Lianwei, who achieved international success and inspired future generations of Chinese golfers. While golf in China has faced some setbacks, including a ban in 2004 due to environmental concerns, the sport continues to attract foreign investment and overseas golfers.
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Golf was banned in China in the mid-20th century and outlawed again in 2004
Golf has had a tumultuous history in China, with the sport being banned twice in the modern era. The first ban came in the mid-20th century, when the Communist Party denounced golf as a ""bourgeois" pastime and "a sport for millionaires". This led to golf facilities being left to ruin, and it wasn't until 1984 that the first Communist-era golf course, Chung Shan Hot Springs in Zhongshan, was built.
Following this initial ban, golf's popularity in China soared in the early 2000s, with even the country's highest leaders embracing the sport. However, this boom was short-lived as golf was outlawed once again in 2004. The 2004 ban specifically targeted the construction of new golf courses, with the government citing environmental impact concerns and the need to curb flashy displays of wealth. Despite this ban, the number of golf courses in China has continued to grow, with developers finding ways to circumvent the restrictions.
The reasons for the mid-20th-century ban on golf in China are rooted in the political and social climate of the time. Chairman Mao Zedong banned golf courses, deeming them a decadent and dangerous import—even referring to them as "green opium". This sentiment was echoed in the Communist Party's denunciation of golf as a bourgeois pursuit, reflecting the Party's ideological stance during this period.
The 2004 ban, on the other hand, was driven by different factors. Environmental concerns were a key motivator, with water conservation and the impact on parched land taking centre stage. Additionally, the government wanted to curb the extravagant spending and displays of wealth by the nouveaux riches. Despite the ban, golf remains a popular sport among China's elite, including businesspeople and officials. The sport is also a draw for foreign investment and overseas golfers attracted by relatively inexpensive fees compared to other countries.
In recent years, the Chinese government has continued to take steps to regulate the sport. In 2015, the Chinese Communist Party banned its members from joining golf clubs as part of an anti-corruption campaign. This was followed by the closure of 111 golf courses in 2017 due to water and land conservation concerns. While golf has faced challenges in China, the country has produced several world-class players, including Liang Wenchong, Shanshan Feng, and Wu Ashun.
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Golf is played at night in some places in China
Golf in China is considered a rich person's sport, with high membership fees and green fees. The sport is also considered to be a good avenue for foreign investment and attracts overseas golfers from countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan, who are drawn to the relatively inexpensive fees.
Despite the high costs, golf is a growing industry in China, with numerous golf courses being established, especially in the province of Hainan, which is exempt from the nationwide ban on the creation of new golf courses. In 2011, there were around 358,000 core players in China, with a growth rate of 7.5%, and that figure was projected to grow to about 20 million by 2020.
In the early 2000s, golf's popularity soared in China, even among the country's highest leaders. However, it has faced some setbacks due to environmental impact concerns and government efforts to conserve water and land.
One unique aspect of golf in China is that it is sometimes played at night under floodlights. Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen, the world's largest golfing complex with 12 courses, allows golfers to play until 2 a.m. under floodlights. Yalong Bay is another location in China where night golf is possible due to the lighting setup.
While golf in China has experienced fluctuations in popularity and faces challenges related to cost and environmental concerns, it continues to attract interest from golfers and investors worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf is not a common sport in China, but it is a growing industry. In 2011, there were around 358,000 core players (aged over 18 and playing more than 8 rounds a year) in China, with a growth rate of 7.5%. That figure was projected to grow to about 20 million by 2020.
Golf is considered prohibitively expensive for the general public in China. It is seen as the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials. The sport has also historically been associated with corruption and is still considered a "rich man's sport".
There are around 500 golf courses in China as of 2023. The number of golf courses has been increasing, with a growth rate of 25-30% per year around 2008. In 2017, the Chinese government ordered 111 courses to be closed due to water and land conservation concerns, and it is difficult to estimate the exact number of golf courses in the country.
Some popular golf courses in China include the Agile Binhai Golf Club Shanghai, Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai, Sheshan International Golf Club, and Yalong Bay Golf Club. Mission Hills Golf Club near Shenzhen is the world's largest golfing complex, with 12 courses.
