Ava Romero
Golf at the Olympic Games follows an individual stroke-play format, with players positioned on the leaderboard according to their score relative to par. The winner is the player who records the fewest total strokes to complete 72 holes. Both the men's and women's tournaments are comprised of four 18-hole rounds, with 60 players in each field progressing to the final two rounds. In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will determine the winner, or, in the case of a tie for second or third place, who takes silver and bronze.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 120 (60 men and 60 women) |
| Format | Individual stroke-play |
| Number of holes | 72 |
| Number of rounds | 4 |
| Venue for 2024 Paris Olympics | Le Golf National |
| Notable features | No-cut policy, playoff in case of ties |
| Previous venues | Rio (2016), Tokyo (2020) |
| Upcoming venues | Los Angeles (2028) |
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What You'll Learn
Olympic Golf Scoring Format
Golf at the Olympic Games follows an individual stroke-play format, similar to events on the PGA and LPGA tours, as well as other major championships. This means that players are positioned on the leaderboard according to their score relative to par, and the winner is the player who records the fewest total strokes to complete 72 holes (18 holes across four rounds).
Both the men's and women's golf tournaments at the Olympics are structured in the same way. Unlike events on the PGA and LPGA tours, there is no cut after 36 holes in Olympic golf. Instead, all 60 players in the men's and women's fields progress to the final two rounds.
In the event of two or more players finishing with the same score after four rounds, those players will compete in a sudden-death playoff. This means that tied players will continue playing until the tie is broken. This is also the case when determining silver and bronze medalists. If player X finishes in the gold-medal position, but players Y and Z finish tied for second place, players Y and Z will compete in a playoff to determine who takes silver and who takes bronze.
In terms of the basic rules, Olympic golf follows the same regulations as golf at all levels. Players begin each hole from the tee box, and for this shot only, players may elevate the ball off the ground using a plastic or wooden tee. For subsequent shots, the ball must be played as it lies on the course. Once the player's ball reaches the putting surface (the green), they can mark, pick up, clean, and replace the ball. Each time the player advances the ball toward the hole using a club, it is recorded as one stroke.
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Olympic Golf Rules
Golf at the Olympic Games follows an individual stroke-play format, similar to events on the PGA and LPGA tours. The competition consists of 72 holes played over four days, with 18 holes played each day. 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.
Each hole in golf starts from the tee box, where players are allowed to elevate their ball slightly using a small peg or tee. This is the only shot where players are allowed to elevate their ball. Subsequent shots must be played 'as the ball lies', meaning that players need to assess the best way to hit the ball depending on its position. For example, if the ball ends up in a bush or too close to a tree, players need to decide how to adjust their shot accordingly.
Golfers are allowed to add clubs to their kit as long as the total number of clubs remains under 14. Changing clubs is only permitted after the completion of each round. During competitive events, golfers do not carry their bags; instead, they are assisted by caddies.
Qualification for the Olympic Golf competition is based on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Women's World Golf Rankings. The top 15 players in each ranking are eligible for the Olympics, with a maximum of four players from the same country. Additional players are then selected based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players in the top 15. This process continues until a total of 59 athletes are selected, with the remaining spot reserved for the host country.
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Olympic Golf Winners
Golf has only been included in the Olympic Games during the last three iterations—in 2016, 2020, and 2024—following a long absence since its appearance in the 1900 and 1904 Games.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Scottie Scheffler and Lydia Ko won gold in the men's and women's tournaments, respectively. Ko, a 27-year-old from New Zealand, completed her Olympic medal collection with the gold medal, which also earned her a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Scheffler, the 28-year-old men's champion, delivered a thrilling performance, rallying from four shots behind on Sunday with a 9-under 62 to win the gold medal. Esther Henseleit of Germany finished with the silver medal, and Xiyu Lin of China won bronze.
The men's and women's golf tournaments at the Olympics are comprised of four 18-hole rounds, with the winner being the player who records the fewest total strokes to complete 72 holes. The 2024 Olympic golf competitions were held at Le Golf National, a course located outside Paris, France, that is known for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup.
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Olympic Golf Qualification
Qualification for Olympic Golf is a demanding process that requires golfers to be at the top of their game. The qualification criteria for the Olympic golf tournament are based on the official world golf rankings, with 60 players each for the men's and women's competitions. The International Golf Federation (IGF) utilises these rankings to create the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR), which determine eligibility.
The top 15 golfers in the world rankings automatically qualify for the Olympics, with a maximum of four golfers from any single country. This ensures that the highest-ranked players secure a spot. Once the top 15 golfers are selected, the remaining spots are filled based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two golfers from each country that does not have two or more players among the top 15.
The OGR is calculated weekly, taking into account players' performances in tournaments from around the world. Points are awarded based on final positions, with more points given for stronger fields. The IGF guarantees at least one golfer from the host nation and at least one from each continent. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have the authority to select their country's representatives, and they may have additional criteria, such as national championships or key tournament performances.
Preparing for the Olympics is an extensive process that involves intense physical conditioning, technical skill enhancement, mental stamina, and strategic planning. Golfers also need to adjust their equipment and familiarise themselves with the Olympic course conditions. Nutritional planning is crucial, with a focus on proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and electrolyte solutions to maintain energy and hydration. The journey to Olympic qualification is challenging, but golfers are driven by the honour and pride of representing their countries on the global stage.
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Olympic Golf Venues
Golf is set to feature in the upcoming 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. The 2024 Olympic golf tournaments will be held at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, Paris, from 1 to 10 August. The venue includes two 18-hole courses and a 7-hole beginner's course, with the Albatros course—a par 71 for men and par 72 for women—being the main competitive course. Le Golf National has previously hosted the French Open and the 2018 Ryder Cup.
The Riviera Country Club will host the golf events at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This will be a mixed-gender team golf event, consisting of a 36-hole competition across two 18-hole rounds. Each team will consist of one male and one female player who have already qualified for the singles events.
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Frequently asked questions
Both the men's and women's golf events at the Olympics are 72-hole individual stroke-play tournaments, similar to many events in the regular golf calendar. Scores are cumulative across each of the four rounds, and the player with the lowest score at the end of the four days wins.
The qualification process follows the system of Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR). Points are awarded based on where the players finish in their tournaments. The higher they finish and the tougher the competition, the more points they earn. To directly qualify for the Olympic golf competition, players need to rank among the top 15 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Ties must be broken not just to determine a winner, but also to determine silver and/or bronze medalists. If players finish with the same score, they will compete in a sudden-death playoff.
Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal in men's golf, and Lydia Ko won the gold medal in women's golf.
