Nina Caldwell
Golf has long been associated with racism, with a history of excluding and discriminating against people of colour. Despite some progress, the sport continues to grapple with its racist legacy, particularly in predominantly white, male-dominated country clubs and institutions. Incidents of racism persist, and the sport has been criticised for its lack of diversity and inclusion. However, there are signs of improvement, with increasing numbers of young black golfers and efforts to address racial inequality and injustice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country clubs' historical exclusion of Black golfers | Shoal Creek Country Club's founder Hall Thompson said, "We have the right to associate or not to associate with whomever we choose. The country club is our home and we pick and choose who we want." |
| Country clubs' historical discrimination against Black golfers | Augusta National's co-founder Clifford Roberts allegedly declared, "All the golfers will be white and all the caddies will be Black." |
| Racism in golf clubs | Zane Scotland, a professional golfer of mixed race, has experienced several racist comments at golf clubs. |
| Political leanings of golfers | Golf has historically been associated with white, middle-class, evangelical Christians and conservative politics. |
| Lack of diversity in golf | The number of Black golfers continues to decline, according to Wendell Haskins, the former diversity director of the PGA of America. |
| Institutionalised racism in golf | Golf has been described as a "bastion of whiteness" with a history of institutionalised and overt racism, particularly in southern country clubs. |
| Racism in golf organisations | World Long Drive champion Maurice Allen and golfer Colin Kaepernick have experienced racism from ruling bodies of golf and major golf companies. |
| Racist comments by golfers | Fuzzy Zoeller made a racist comment about Tiger Woods, and Tiger Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams, referred to him as a "black arse". |
| Racism in other sports | Racism is prevalent in other sports such as baseball, football, rugby, and the Olympics. |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's racist history
Golf has long been associated with racism and discrimination against people of colour, particularly in the United States. The sport has historically been dominated by white players and country clubs, with people of colour facing barriers to entry and discrimination when they have gained access.
One notable example of golf's racist history is the experience of Black golfers in the United States. In the early 20th century, Black golfers were excluded from many golf courses and country clubs due to their race. This discrimination continued well into the latter part of the century. For example, in 1975, Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters, faced a torrent of abuse and had to take safety precautions by renting two houses and switching between them to reduce the risk to his safety. Similarly, Charlie Sifford, who won two PGA Tour events in the 1960s, was refused entry to the Masters because, allegedly, "he didn't meet the qualifications". Augusta's co-founder and then-chairman, Clifford Roberts, is reported to have declared that "all the golfers will be white and all the caddies will be black".
Even when Black golfers have achieved success, they have faced ridicule and racist comments. For example, after Tiger Woods became the first black player to win a Men's major golf championship in 1997, he faced ridicule from Fuzzy Zoeller, the 1979 champion. Additionally, Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams, referred to him as a "black arse", sparking controversy over the racial dynamics within golf.
While there are signs of improvement, with younger golfers of all races gaining better access to clubs, racial discrimination in golf is still prevalent. Zane Scotland, a professional golfer of mixed race, has shared his experiences of racism in the sport, and golfers like Maurice Allen continue to speak out about their experiences as Black men in a predominantly white sport.
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Black golfers' experiences
Golf has long been associated with white privilege and racial segregation in America. The sport has been described as a "bastion of whiteness", and the number of Black golfers continues to decline.
Black golfers have historically faced significant barriers and discrimination when trying to enter the sport. Before 1961, the Professional Golf Association of America (PGA) successfully maintained an all-white status, with golfers like Ted Rhodes being prohibited from playing on the PGA during the prime of their careers. In response, Black golfers created their own touring organizations, such as the Colored Golfers Association of America or the United States Colored Golfers Association. Many Black golfers also learned the game as caddies, as it was often the only way they were allowed to play on private and public courses.
Even after the integration of Black golfers into the PGA, they continued to face racism and discrimination. Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters, endured a torrent of abuse and death threats after qualifying for the tournament in 1975, forcing him to rent two houses and switch between them randomly to stay safe. Tiger Woods, arguably the most important golfer of all time, has also spoken about his experiences with racism in golf, appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1997 to discuss the issue.
The golf industry has been criticized for its lack of progress in addressing racial inequality and promoting diversity. Despite some efforts to create change, the number of Black golfers in the top worldwide rankings remains low, with only two Black men in the top 100 and one Black woman in the top 300.
Renee Powell, one of the few Black women to be a full-time member of the LPGA Tour, has shared her experiences of frequently receiving threat letters due to her race and body color. Her father, Bill Powell, was rejected by golf courses in eastern Ohio because of his race and decided to build his own course, Clearview Golf Club, in 1946. Clearview has become a symbol of diversity and inclusion in the sport, welcoming golfers of all backgrounds.
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Country club racism
Country clubs became a part of American life during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, with the rise in popularity of golf. However, the sport has long been associated with white wealth and privilege, and country clubs have been used as a means of establishing status and separating members from the larger community, often for reasons based on race discrimination.
In 1990, Hall Thompson, the founder of Shoal Creek Country Club, said his club would not be pressured into accepting "the blacks". This sparked outrage and major sponsors pulled their TV ads from ESPN and ABC. Thompson's club quickly had to usher in a Black member to save its event.
In California, several country clubs were known to discriminate against minorities, including Jews and African Americans, well into the 1970s and 1980s. For example, the Los Angeles Athletic Club was found to be admitting Black members at a slower rate than whites in 1975, and the California Club did not admit its first Black member until 1988.
While some country clubs have taken steps to diversify their memberships in recent years, the number of Black golfers continues to fall, and the sport continues to grapple with its history of racism and discrimination.
Country clubs have also been associated with right-wing politics, which has further contributed to the perception of exclusivity and discrimination.
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Political affiliations
Golf has long been associated with the political right in the United States. The sport has been described as "white, middle class, evangelically Christian and unashamedly conservative". The country club, a staple of golf in America, has been a symbol of this political leaning, with its history of institutionalised racism and exclusion of people of colour.
The PGA Tour, for example, was the last major American sports organisation to desegregate. The organisation's history includes explicit rules excluding Black players, with the whites-only policy being written down in 1943. The number of Black golfers in the top worldwide rankings remains low.
However, the political affiliations of golf fans may be changing. A 2023 survey by The Harris Poll and Sportico found that fans of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour lean left, with 51% of its fans identifying as liberal. This is despite the tour's ties to former President Donald Trump, with several events hosted at Trump golf properties.
The survey also revealed a disconnect between the political perception and reality of fanbases. For example, while 59% of Americans perceived LIV Golf as "more conservative", its followers were found to be predominantly progressive. Similarly, 63% of Americans believed women's college basketball to be "more liberal", despite the survey finding 55% of fans to be "more conservative".
The political affiliations of golfers and fans are complex and evolving. While golf has historically been associated with conservatism and racism, particularly in the context of country clubs, the sport is also witnessing a growing awareness of racial issues and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
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Changing trends
Golf has long been associated with racism and discrimination, particularly in the United States. The sport has been characterised by its predominantly white, middle-class, conservative player and fan base. This has led to a perception and reality of exclusion and racism towards people of colour, both historically and in more recent times.
However, there are some signs of changing trends and a growing awareness of the need for diversity and inclusion in golf. While the number of Black golfers in the US continues to fall, there are increasing efforts to address racial inequality and encourage participation among young golfers of all races.
Zane Scotland, a professional golfer of mixed race, has observed that racial discrimination in golf clubs is "on the way out". He notes that younger golfers, regardless of race, now have better access to clubs, and he expects this trend to continue with increased awareness of racial inequality. Scotland's father, who was once the lone Black member at his golf club, is now better known for his colourful fashion sense. Scotland's personal experience reflects this shift, as he has witnessed more Black golfers on the course and a move away from the traditional white male dominance in the sport.
Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the racial barriers that have historically excluded people of colour from golf. Clearview Golf Club, founded by Black World War II veteran Bill Powell in 1946, stands as a testament to this. Powell, who was rejected by golf courses in eastern Ohio due to his race, built Clearview to create an inclusive space for golfers of all backgrounds.
While these changing trends offer a glimmer of hope, it is important to acknowledge that racism in golf remains prevalent. Golfers of colour, such as Tiger Woods, have faced ridicule and racist comments from fellow players and the golf community. The sport continues to grapple with its racist history and the institutionalised racism that has been intertwined with its right-wing tendencies, particularly in southern country clubs.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf has historically been a predominantly white sport, with a number of instances of racism and discrimination against Black golfers. However, it is important to note that there have been efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in golf, and the sport is evolving.
There have been several documented instances of racism in golf. For example, Lee Elder, the first Black professional to compete in the Masters, faced abuse and threats to his safety after qualifying for the tournament in 1975. Charlie Sifford, a Black golfer who won two recognised PGA Tour events in the 1960s, was refused entry to the Masters because he "didn't meet the qualifications". Tiger Woods, who is of African American and Asian American descent, has also faced racial ridicule and comments from other golfers and caddies.
There have been some efforts to address racism and increase diversity in golf. For example, in 2020, Augusta's chairman, Fred Ridley, announced that Lee Elder would participate in the ceremonial tee shot. Additionally, golfers like Zane Scotland have spoken out about their experiences with racism in the sport and noted that racial discrimination is "on the way out" at golf clubs in the UK. There is also increased access for younger golfers of all races, which is helping to improve the diversity of the sport.
Racism in golf has had a significant impact on Black golfers, affecting their mental health, sense of belonging, and opportunities in the sport. Black golfers have often faced discrimination, abuse, and microaggressions, which can take a toll on their well-being and performance. Additionally, a lack of representation and sponsorship opportunities has created barriers for Black golfers trying to pursue professional careers.
