Trevor Ng
Golf is a sport that has featured in the Olympic Games. It was first included in 1900, and 22 golfers competed. The sport was also part of the 1904 Olympics, featuring 77 golfers. However, it was later discontinued and then reinstated for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play, with a maximum of four players per nation. The latest Olympic golf results are from the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games, where Scottie Scheffler of the United States of America won gold in the men's tournament, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand won gold in the women's tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First featured in the Olympics | 1900 |
| Number of golfers in 1900 | 22 |
| Number of golfers in 1904 | 77 |
| Reintroduced in Olympics | 2016 |
| Governing body | International Golf Federation |
| Qualification criteria | Official World Golf Ranking (men) and Women's World Golf Rankings |
| Maximum number of players per nation | 4 |
| Notable male golfers | Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler |
| Notable female golfers | Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, Kim Sei-young, Ko Jin-young, Atthaya Thitikul, Minjin Lee, Brooke Henderson |
| New mixed team event | To be added in 2028 |
| Essential rule | Play the ball as it lies and play the course as you find it |
| Aim | Hit the ball with a club from the tee into the hole in as few strokes as possible |
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What You'll Learn
Golf was first featured in the 1900 Summer Olympics
Golf was first introduced at the Summer Olympics in 1900, which took place in Paris, France. The golf events were hosted at the Compiègne Club in Compiègne, about 50 km (30 miles) north of Paris. The golf course, built within a horse-racing track, was one of just 25 courses in France at the time.
The 1900 Summer Olympics featured men's and women's individual stroke play competitions, with 22 golfers participating in total. The men's tournament was played over two 18-hole rounds on 2 October 1900, with Charles Sands of the St. Andrews Golf Club in Yonkers, New York, claiming victory. The women's tournament, held the following day, consisted of a 9-hole competition, which was won by Margaret Abbott of the Chicago Golf Club, making her the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
Interestingly, Abbott was unaware that she was competing in the Olympics and believed it was a regular golf tournament. It was only through the research of University of Florida professor Paula Welch that her historic victory was later discovered. Abbott's mother, Mary Abbott, also competed in the event, making them the first and only mother-daughter duo to compete in the same Olympic event simultaneously.
Following its debut in 1900, golf was also included in the 1904 Summer Olympics, with plans for subsequent tournaments in 1908 and 1920. However, these were cancelled due to various reasons, including a dispute among British golfers that led to a boycott. Golf would later be reinstated as an Olympic sport for the 2016 Summer Olympics, with the International Golf Federation serving as the governing body.
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The sport was reinstated for the 2016 Olympics
Golf was first recognised as an Olympic sport in 1900, and it was also played in the 1904 Summer Olympics. However, the sport then disappeared from the Olympic programme for over a century, with tournaments planned for 1908 and 1920 being cancelled.
In 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to reinstate golf for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This decision was influenced by presentations from leading athletes and officials, including a video message from Tiger Woods, who pledged to take part if golf was reinstated. Woods said, "There are millions of young golfers worldwide who would be proud to represent their country... It would be an honour for anyone who plays this game to become an Olympian."
The 2016 Olympics featured two golf events: men's and women's individual stroke play. Qualification was based on world rankings as of 11 July 2016, with a total of 60 players qualifying for each event. The top 15 players of each gender qualified automatically, with a limit of four golfers per country. The remaining spots went to the highest-ranked players from countries that had not yet qualified two golfers.
The Olympic golf course was built at the Reserva de Marapendi in the Barra da Tijuca zone. The design was chosen based on sustainability criteria, with grass selection being critical for water use and sustainability. After the games, the course became a public facility, enhancing golf's profile in Brazil.
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Olympic golf competitions consist of men's and women's individual stroke play
Golf has been an Olympic sport on and off since 1900. It was also contested in 1904, but then removed as a competition. The sport returned for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and has been part of the Olympic Games ever since.
The men's and women's golf tournaments at the Olympics are made up of four 18-hole rounds. The golfer with the lowest cumulative score at the end of the four rounds wins the gold medal, while the second- and third-place finishers receive silver and bronze medals. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the men's tournament took place from 1 to 4 August, while the women's tournament was held from 7 to 10 August.
There have been calls for the International Golf Federation (IGF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider adding a match play tournament and a team tournament, as well as opening up the Olympic tournament to more golfers. In April 2025, it was announced that a new mixed team event would be added to golf for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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A mixed team event will be added to golf for the 2028 Olympics
Golf has been included in the Olympic Games on several occasions, dating back to the 1900 Summer Olympics, where 22 golfers competed. The sport was also featured in the 1904 Olympics, which saw 77 golfers participate. However, after a lengthy absence, golf returned to the Olympic programme in 2016. Since its reinstatement, Olympic golf competitions have consisted of men's and women's individual stroke play.
In April 2025, it was announced that a significant change would be introduced to Olympic golf for the 2028 Summer Olympics: the addition of a mixed team event. This new format will add a unique dynamic to the sport's Olympic presence. The mixed-team event will consist of one male and one female player, forming a two-day, 36-hole competition. The format will include an 18-hole foursomes (alternate shot) round and an 18-hole four-ball (best ball) round. This innovative approach will be played between the men's and women's individual competitions, providing a refreshing twist to the traditional individual stroke play.
The teams for this mixed event will be selected from golfers already qualified for individual play, ensuring a diverse and skilled field. Each nation will be allowed only one team, with a total of 16 pairs competing. This format aligns with the IOC's commitment to gender equality, as highlighted by IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, who emphasised the importance of "men and women competing in the same team, on the same field of play for their country."
The 2028 Olympics mixed golf event will be hosted at the iconic Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, adding to the prestige of the occasion. This development is part of a broader initiative to introduce mixed-gender competitions across various sports in the Olympics, including archery, gymnastics, and rowing. The IGF Executive Director, Antony Scanlon, expressed enthusiasm for this addition, noting the success of golf in previous Olympic editions and the athletes' eagerness to represent their nations in this new format.
The inclusion of a mixed team event in golf for the 2028 Olympics marks a significant evolution in the sport's Olympic history, providing an opportunity to showcase the talents of male and female golfers from diverse nations. This innovative format promises to bring excitement and attention to the sport, creating memorable moments and potentially inspiring a new generation of golfers worldwide.
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Scottie Scheffler is a prominent figure in Olympic golf
Golf has been recognised as an Olympic sport since 1900, though it was dropped from the Olympic programme after 1904. The sport was reinstated for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, with men's and women's individual stroke play competitions. The 2028 Summer Olympics will introduce a new mixed team event.
Scottie Scheffler is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He is currently ranked world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, a position he has held for over 100 weeks. Scheffler has won four major championships, including the 2022 Masters Tournament, and was named the 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Scheffler qualified as one of four men to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympic golf tournament in Paris. He won the gold medal in the men's individual competition, becoming the first American to do so. Scheffler's gold medal is considered a significant accomplishment in his career, which has also included several other notable victories.
Scheffler's success in golf began at a young age. His interest in the sport started when his parents gave him a set of plastic clubs and a ball at the age of three. He practised by hitting ping-pong balls inside his home and frequently visited a driving range near the Hudson River. Scheffler's amateur career included victories at the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2013 and low-amateur honours at the 2017 U.S. Open. He turned professional in 2018 and was named Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year in 2019 and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2020.
With his continued success and dominance in the sport, Scottie Scheffler has solidified his status as a prominent figure in Olympic golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is an Olympic sport.
Golf first featured in the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 and was also contested in 1904.
Golf was played at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Notable golfers at the Olympics include Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Hideki Matsuyama, Lydia Ko, Esther Henseleit, and Xiyu Lin.
The objective of golf is to hit a ball with a club from the tee into the hole in as few strokes as possible. The essential rule is that for each stroke, the player must play the ball as it lies and accept the course as they find it.
