Miles Bennett
Golf in China has had a tumultuous history, with the sport being banned, unbanned, and then banned again. The country's relationship with golf has been convoluted, with the sport being denounced as a sport for millionaires by Mao Zedong when he took power in 1949. Despite this, the sport enjoyed a renaissance during the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of golf courses tripling between 2004 and 2009. In 2015, the Chinese Communist Party banned its 88 million members from joining golf clubs as part of an anti-corruption drive. However, this ban was revoked in 2016, with the official newspaper of China's anti-corruption agency stating that “there is no right or wrong about playing golf. In 2017, the Chinese government ordered the closure of 111 golf courses due to water and land conservation concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of ban | 2015 |
| Reason for ban | Golf was seen as a "sport for millionaires" and a place for shady business deals |
| Number of golf courses in China at the time | 600 |
| Number of golf courses ordered to close in 2017 | 111 |
| Number of Chinese Communist Party members banned from playing golf | 88 million |
| Year golf was unbanned | 2016 |
| Year golf was first banned in China | 1949 |
| Number of golf courses in China in 2011 | 358,000 |
| Projected number of golf courses in China by 2020 | 20 million |
| Average green fees for non-members | US$100 |
| Initiation fee at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club | $170,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Golf was banned in 1949 by Mao Zedong
Zedong's viewpoint on the sport was shared by many in the country, who viewed golf as a symbol of excess and corruption. This perception was further reinforced by the high costs associated with playing golf, including green fees and memberships, which were often expensive relative to other nations. The average green fees for non-members in China typically ranged from US$100 to several thousand dollars.
The ban on golf sent a clear message about the government's stance on extravagance and equality. It is important to note that this ban was not just about the sport itself, but also the cultural and political implications associated with it. Golf represented a Western influence that conflicted with the communist ideals of the newly established People's Republic of China.
The ban on golf under Mao Zedong set the tone for the sport's tumultuous history in China, with periods of prohibition and revival. Despite the initial ban, golf courses began to appear in China during the 1980s, following economic and social reforms. However, the sport continued to face pushback, with construction bans and closures occurring intermittently.
The relationship between golf and the Chinese government has been complex and often influenced by shifting political priorities and societal perceptions. While Mao Zedong's ban on golf in 1949 was a significant milestone in this narrative, the sport's popularity and acceptance have fluctuated over the years, reflecting the dynamic nature of China's cultural and political landscape.
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The Chinese Communist Party banned members from joining golf clubs in 2015
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has had a tumultuous relationship with golf since the sport was first introduced to the country. In 1949, Mao Zedong banned golf, denouncing it as a "sport for millionaires". However, the sport enjoyed a resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of golf courses in China increasing rapidly. Despite this, golf has continued to carry an association with corruption and excessive spending.
In October 2015, the CCP implemented a ban on its members from joining golf clubs. This decision aligned with President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, targeting the use of public funds for personal gain and excessive spending by government officials. The ban specifically prohibited CCP members from "obtaining, holding or using membership cards for gyms, clubs, golf clubs, or various other types of consumer cards, or entering private clubs".
The ban was enforced to prevent party members from engaging in activities that could lead to corruption or the perception of wrongdoing. Golf clubs in China were often seen as places where officials conducted shady deals and accepted bribes. Prior to the 2015 ban, there were reports of state employees being punished for spending public funds on golf and a vice-mayor being sacked for belonging to a golf club and playing during work hours.
While the 2015 ban specifically targeted CCP members, golf has historically been considered prohibitively expensive for the general Chinese public. With average green fees for non-members exceeding US$100, the sport has primarily attracted businesspeople and officials, as well as overseas golfers from countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan.
The CCP's ban on golf club membership for its members in 2015 reflected the party's efforts to combat corruption and improve its image. However, it is important to note that the ban has had varying levels of enforcement, and China's relationship with golf remains complex and evolving.
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The ban was revoked in 2016
China's relationship with golf has been a tricky and convoluted one, with the sport being banned, unbanned, and banned again over the years. In April 2016, the ban on golf as a Communist Party pursuit was lifted, with China's state-run anti-corruption newspaper stating, "Since it is only a sport, there is no right or wrong about playing golf." This came just nine months after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banned its 88 million members from playing golf, citing the sport's association with corruption and its image as a crucible for shady business deals.
The 2016 revocation of the ban was part of an effort to reduce the negative perception of the sport in the country and encourage its acceptance and development. Golf had long been denounced by Mao Zedong as a "sport for millionaires," and it was banned in 1949 following the Communist revolution. However, the sport began to gain popularity in the 1980s, and by 2015, there were almost 700 golf courses in China. Despite the ban being lifted in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping maintained that cadres were forbidden from receiving golf memberships as gifts, as part of his ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
The Chinese government's relationship with golf has been complex, with the sport being viewed as a symbol of elitism and extravagance by some and as a legitimate recreational activity by others. Environmental concerns have also played a role in the government's decisions regarding golf course development, with water and land conservation being cited as reasons for closing down certain courses.
While the ban on Communist Party members playing golf was revoked in 2016, the sport continues to be a controversial topic in China, with a dynamic history of fluctuating popularity and official approval. The revocation of the ban reflected a shift in attitudes towards golf, at least temporarily, and highlighted the sport's growing presence in the country, especially among business people and officials.
Overall, the revocation of the golf ban in 2016 represented a period of changing attitudes and increasing popularity for the sport in China, even as the government continued to navigate the complex social and environmental implications of golf's presence in the country.
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Golf course development was banned in 2004
Golf has had a complicated history in China. The sport was first banned in 1949 by Mao Zedong, who denounced it as a "sport for millionaires". Despite this, the first golf course in mainland China was built in 1984, and the sport began to boom in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2004, China announced a ban on the development of new golf facilities. This ban was prompted by the view that the construction of new golf courses was a waste of public money and an illegal use of space. Despite the ban, there was a boom in golf course development, with the number of courses tripling from about 200 in 2004 to about 600 by 2009.
The ban on golf course development was not the only measure taken by the Chinese government to restrict the sport. In 2015, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banned its members from joining golf clubs as part of an anti-corruption drive. This ban was revoked in 2016, with the official newspaper of China's anti-corruption agency stating that "there is no right or wrong about playing golf".
The complex relationship between golf and the Chinese government can be attributed to the sport's association with corruption and the perception that it is a luxury activity. Despite the bans and restrictions, golf has continued to grow in popularity in China, with the number of courses reaching 683 by January 2017. The sport attracts foreign investment and golfers from countries such as South Korea, Australia, and Japan due to its relatively inexpensive fees compared to other countries.
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Over 110 golf courses were banned in 2017
China's relationship with golf has been complicated. The sport was initially banned by Mao Zedong in 1949, who denounced it as a "sport for millionaires". However, the first golf course was built on the Chinese mainland in 1984, and the sport began to grow in popularity, particularly among businesspeople and officials. Despite this, golf course development was banned in 2004, which prompted a boom in golf course construction, with the number of courses tripling to about 600 by 2009.
In 2015, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banned its 88 million members from joining golf clubs as part of an anti-corruption drive. This ban was short-lived, and golf was unbanned in 2016. However, the CCP's complicated relationship with the sport continued, and in 2017, the Chinese government ordered the closure of 111 golf courses due to water and land conservation concerns. This ban specifically targeted the excessive and illegal use of space and public funds associated with golf course development.
At the 2007 National People's Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged that golf course construction was a waste of public money and encouraged the discouragement of contracts for building new golf courses. Despite the ban, golf has continued to grow in popularity in China, with the number of core players aged over 18 projected to reach 20 million by 2020. The sport attracts foreign investment and overseas golfers, and China has hosted several international golf tournaments.
The closure of over 110 golf courses in 2017 reflects the Chinese government's efforts to address conservation concerns and curb excessive development associated with the sport. This ban, along with the previous ban on CCP members joining golf clubs, highlights the complex and evolving nature of China's relationship with golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Mao Zedong banned golf when he took power in 1949, denouncing it as a "sport for millionaires".
Golf enjoyed a renaissance during the 1980s and 1990s after China opened up and the sport re-emerged as a way to attract foreign investment.
In 2015, the Chinese Communist Party banned all its 88 million members from joining golf clubs as part of an anti-corruption drive.
In 2017, the Chinese government ordered 111 golf courses closed due to water and land conservation concerns. However, this ban was not directed at golf itself but rather at the construction of new golf courses.
