Nina Caldwell
Golf in China has experienced a surge in popularity, with the number of golf courses tripling between 2005 and 2010, and the emergence of successful homegrown players like Zhang Lianwei, Wu Ashun, and Shanshan Feng. Despite golf being denounced as a bourgeois pastime by Mao and the Communist Party, it has attracted a dedicated following, particularly among businesspeople and officials. The sport's growth in China is closely tied to the country's economic rise, with golf courses becoming symbols of prestige and exclusivity. However, the rapid development of golf courses has also raised environmental concerns, leading to government interventions to limit their construction and address water and land conservation issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses | 500 (as of 2023) |
| First golf course built | 1984 |
| Number of core players (2011) | 358,000 |
| Projected number of players (2020) | 20 million |
| Number of courses (2017) | 683 |
| Province with most courses | Hainan |
| Leading golf firms | Mission Hills |
| Top Chinese golfers | Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, Wu Ashun, Shanshan Feng |
| Average green fees for non-members | $100+ |
| Initiation fee at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club | $170,000 |
| Yearly dues at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club | $1,800 |
| Initiation fee at Sheshan International Golf Club | $230,000 |
| Initiation fee at Shanqin Bay Golf Club | $1 million |
| Province with most golf clubs | Guangdong |
| Number of golf courses in Beijing | 70 (estimated) |
| Number of courses in Kunming | 15 |
| Number of courses in China | 650+ |
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What You'll Learn
- Golf's popularity in China soared in the early 2000s, with the country experiencing a golf course boom
- Golf was denounced by Mao and the Communist Party as bourgeois and a game for the privileged
- The number of golf courses in China has tripled since 2004, despite a ban on course construction
- Golf in China is considered prohibitively expensive for the general public, but it attracts foreign investment and overseas golfers
- China has produced several world-class golfers, including Liang Wenchong, Shanshan Feng, and Wu Ashun
Golf's popularity in China soared in the early 2000s, with the country experiencing a golf course boom
Firstly, the International Olympic Committee's decision to reinstate golf for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games played a significant role. After the Sydney 2000 Olympics, China launched Project 119, a campaign focused on training athletes in individual sports, and golf's inclusion in the Olympics raised its profile in the country.
Secondly, the growth of disposable income in China made golf more accessible to a wider range of people. By 2015, over half of China's population was expected to have an annual income of over $7,300, allowing them to afford a sport that was previously considered expensive.
The 2008 recession also contributed to golf's popularity in China. While many other countries were affected by the financial crisis, China remained relatively immune. This led to golf architects and PGA tours flocking to the country, further increasing the sport's visibility and appeal.
Additionally, the success of Chinese golfers on the international stage inspired more people in the country to take up the sport. Golfers such as Li Chao, Shanshan Feng, and Guan Tianlang achieved remarkable victories, with the latter becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut at a men's major championship at just 14 years old.
However, golf in China has also faced some challenges and controversies. The sport was banned by the Chinese Communist Party until the 1980s for being too bourgeois, and even after the ban was lifted, it continued to be associated with privilege and corruption. The construction of new golf courses has also faced opposition due to environmental impact concerns and rural land rights disputes. Despite these issues, golf's popularity in China in the early 2000s was undeniable, and the country experienced a significant golf course boom during that time.
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Golf was denounced by Mao and the Communist Party as bourgeois and a game for the privileged
Golf has had a tumultuous history in China, with its popularity ebbing and flowing with the changing political tides. The sport was initially denounced by Mao Zedong and the Communist Party as a "sport for millionaires" or a "sport for the privileged", embodying the excesses of the bourgeois. This perception led to a ban on golf in 1949, following the Communist Revolution.
Mao's disdain for golf stemmed from its association with the wealthy and privileged. With its expensive memberships and green fees, the sport was inaccessible to the majority of the population. It was seen as a symbol of excess and privilege, which clashed with the Communist Party's ideals of equality and social justice. During this time, the few golf courses that existed in China were predominantly used by foreigners and Shanghai's elite businessmen.
In the early 1980s, however, China's attitude towards golf began to shift. The country was undergoing significant economic and social reforms, and the government sought to attract foreign investment and wealthy tourists. Building golf courses became a strategy to lure investors and high-spending visitors from countries like Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau. This pragmatic approach to golf course development reflected a desire to stimulate consumer spending and boost the economy.
Despite the initial renaissance for golf during the 80s and 90s, the sport once again fell out of favour in 2015. This shift occurred due to President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, which targeted the perceived corruption and shady business deals associated with golf courses. Articles in the state-run media portrayed these venues as cauldrons of profiteering, where government officials were bribed by favour-seeking businesspeople. As a result, the Communist Party banned its members from playing golf, owning course memberships, or accepting golf-related perks as gifts.
In 2016, however, the ban was partially revoked, with the official newspaper of China's anti-corruption agency declaring that "there is no right or wrong about playing golf" and that it is "only a sport". While accepting golf-related gifts remains prohibited for Party members, playing the sport on their own dime is now permissible. This change reflects the complex and evolving relationship between golf and China's political landscape, where the sport's popularity continues to be influenced by broader social and economic transformations.
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The number of golf courses in China has tripled since 2004, despite a ban on course construction
Golf in China has experienced a surge in popularity, especially in the early 2000s, when it was embraced even by the country's highest leaders. In 2004, there were only 170 golf courses in China, but despite a ban on course construction imposed that same year, the number of golf courses tripled to almost 600 by 2009. This boom in golf course construction is particularly notable given that it occurred during a time when the struggling global economy had led to the closure of golf courses in other parts of the world.
The ban on golf course construction in China was implemented by the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) to address environmental concerns, specifically to protect the country's dwindling farmland and conserve water. However, developers have found ways to circumvent these restrictions, and local governments have often turned a blind eye to these illegal developments or even been complicit in them.
The growth of golf in China is closely tied to the country's rapid economic growth and rising living standards. While golf is considered prohibitively expensive for the general public, it is seen as the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials. It attracts foreign investment and golfers from other countries who are drawn by the relatively inexpensive fees.
The development of golf courses in China has not been without controversy. In addition to the environmental and land use concerns that led to the ban on course construction, there have been reports of rural land being illegally rented or acquired for golf course development, leading to disputes over rural land rights. Golf has also been associated with corruption and is often seen as a symbol of privilege and the growing wealth gap in China.
Despite the controversies and the ban on course construction, the number of golf courses in China continued to rise, reaching 683 by January 2017. However, the Chinese government ordered the closure of 111 of these courses at that time due to water and land conservation concerns.
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Golf in China is considered prohibitively expensive for the general public, but it attracts foreign investment and overseas golfers
Golf in China has experienced a surge in popularity, especially in the early 2000s when it was embraced by the country's leaders. This popularity has attracted foreign investment and golfers from overseas. However, for the general Chinese public, golf is considered prohibitively expensive.
The sport has a long history in China, with some claiming that a similar game was played by the Chinese long before golf was established in Scotland. The first golf course in Communist China was built in 1984, and since then, the number of courses has grown exponentially. In 2004, there were around 170 golf courses in the country, but by 2009, this number had tripled to almost 600. As of 2017, there were 683 golf courses in China, with at least one in every province except Tibet.
The rapid growth in the number of golf courses has led to serious environmental concerns, with the government ordering the closure of several courses in 2017 due to water and land conservation issues. Despite these setbacks, the construction of new golf courses continues, especially in the province of Hainan, which is exempt from the nationwide ban.
The cost of playing golf in China can be high, with average green fees for non-members often exceeding US$100. Initiation fees at some clubs can be as high as $170,000 or even $1 million, with annual dues of $1,800 or more. These high costs make golf inaccessible to many locals, with less than five per cent of golf clubs open to the public.
However, the sport is still popular among businesspeople and officials, and it attracts overseas golfers from countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan, who take advantage of the relatively inexpensive fees compared to their home countries. The success of Chinese golfers like Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, and Shanshan Feng has also inspired young Chinese players to take up the sport.
Golf in China is a growing industry, with new courses and tournaments attracting foreign investors and golfers. While the high costs may deter local participation, the sport's popularity among the elite and its potential for economic growth continue to drive its development in the country.
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China has produced several world-class golfers, including Liang Wenchong, Shanshan Feng, and Wu Ashun
Golf in China is a growing industry, with a surge in the development of golf courses, especially in Hainan province. The sport is considered prohibitively expensive for most, but it is a popular recreational activity for businesspeople and officials. Despite the high costs of memberships and green fees, China attracts overseas golfers with its relatively inexpensive rates compared to other countries.
Shanshan Feng is a retired Chinese professional golfer who achieved significant success during her career. She was the first Chinese golfer, male or female, to win a major championship, claiming the 2012 LPGA Championship title. Feng also took home the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, solidifying her place as one of the biggest stars in women's golf. She captured 10 LPGA Tour victories, including the 2017 Blue Bay LPGA in her home country, which propelled her to the number one spot in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.
Wu Ashun is another prominent Chinese golfer who turned professional in 2007. He has found success on various tours, including the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour, where he became the first Chinese golfer to win in 2012 at the Toshin Golf Tournament. Wu Ashun has won three times on the European Tour, with victories at the 2015 Volvo China Open, 2016 Lyoness Open, 2018 KLM Open, and the 2022 Magical Kenya Open. He represented China at the 2016 Olympic Games.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf was outlawed in China in the mid-20th century, deemed to be "a sport for millionaires". The first Communist-era golf course was built in 1984, and since then the sport has grown in popularity.
Golf is a growing industry in China, with numerous golf courses being established, especially in the province of Hainan. In 2011, there were around 358,000 core players 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. However, it is seen as the top recreational sport for businesspeople and officials. Green fees for non-members are usually at least US$100, and often far more expensive.
Some notable golf courses in China include the Agile Binhai Golf Club Shanghai, Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai, and Sheshan International Golf Club. Mission Hills Golf Club near Shenzhen is the world's largest golfing complex, with 12 courses. Hainan's Shanqin Bay Golf Club became the first course in China to make Golf Magazine's 'Top 100 Courses in the World' in 2013.
Some notable Chinese golfers include Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, Wu Ashun, Shanshan Feng, and Guan Tianlang.
