Ava Romero
Golf is a popular sport worldwide, but some countries are more obsessed than others. The UK, for example, is considered the birthplace of golf, and it remains incredibly popular there today, with golfers in the United Kingdom spending £4.3 billion on golf in 2014, accounting for 14% of all consumer spending on sports. Ireland, the UK's neighbour, is also a huge fan of the sport, with many beautiful courses, a strong legacy of golf greats, and nearly every course open to the public. The USA is another country where golf is incredibly popular, with almost 10% of the population playing (almost 30 million people). The USA is also home to some of the most famous golfers of all time, including Tiger Woods, and legendary golf courses like Pinehurst and Augusta National. Canada is also a top country for golf, with exceptional scenery and many great courses, and South Korea has become the third-largest golf market after the US and Japan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PGA Championship Location | Quail Hollow Club, Philadelphia |
| PGA Championship Dates | May 12-18, 2025 |
| Par | 4, 3, 5 |
| Yardage | 7,626 |
| Hole Yardage | 505 |
| Tournament Schedule | Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton; Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island, GA, USA; Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, MI, USA; TPC Deere Run, Silvis, IL, USA; The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, SCO; Hurstbourne Country Club, Louisville, KY, USA; Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, NIR; Tahoe Mountain Club, Truckee, CA, USA; TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, MN, USA; Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, NC, USA |
| Players | Rafael Campos; Maverick McNealy; Scottie Scheffler; Jake Knapp; Patty Tavatanakit; Cam Davis; Davis Thompson; Robert MacIntyre; Harry Hall; Xander Schauffele; Nick Dunlap; Jhonattan Vegas; Aaron Rai; B. Campbell; B. Cauley; N. Taylor; K. Yu; J. Highsmith; T. Kim; M. Lee; H. Hall; M. Hughes; M. Schmid; T. Finau; C. Bezuidenhout; W. Clark; M. Pavon; J. Day; J.J. Spaun |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's origins: Scotland, China, or the Netherlands?
The modern game of golf is generally considered to have originated in Scotland. The game was first mentioned in an Act of Scottish Parliament in 1457, which banned the game as it was deemed a distraction from military training. Golf was banned several times throughout the 15th century, but it gained popularity among Scottish nobility in the 16th century, with King James IV becoming one of its earliest enthusiasts. The first golf club outside of Scotland was the Royal Blackheath in London, formed in 1766. The word "golf" is thought to be derived from the Dutch word "colf" or "colve", meaning "stick", "club", or "bat". However, some scholars argue that a similar game was played in the Netherlands in the 17th century, predating the Scottish game.
There is evidence of various stick-and-ball games throughout history, similar to golf. In the 13th century, the Dutch played a game where a leather ball was hit towards a target, and the player who reached the target with the fewest shots won. The Chinese also played a similar game called "chuiwan" during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), which involved hitting a ball with a stick towards a hole.
Scotland, however, is credited with formalizing the game as we know it today. The oldest recorded rules of golf date back to 1744, published by The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The first international golf match was played in 1682, with Scotland beating two English noblemen. The game officially became a sport when the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith formed the first club in 1744 and set up an annual competition with silverware prizes.
Scottish soldiers, expatriates, and immigrants played a significant role in spreading golf worldwide. The first golf course in Africa was built on Bunce Island in Sierra Leone by British slave traders in the early 1770s. The expansion of the British Empire in the 19th century further contributed to the global spread of golf, with the establishment of golf clubs in India, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, the United States, and Hong Kong.
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The Open Championship: golf's oldest tournament
The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, founded in 1860. The tournament was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, and later venues included Muirfield, St George's and Royal Liverpool in England, and Musselburgh, home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The venue now rotates between a select group of coastal links golf courses in the United Kingdom.
The Open is one of the four men's major golf championships, alongside the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open. It is held in mid-July and is organised by The R&A. The tournament is "open" to both professional and amateur golfers, although in practice, it is a professional tournament with a small number of leading amateurs invited to play.
The winner of The Open is named "The Champion Golfer of the Year", a title that dates back to the first Open in 1860. They receive the Claret Jug as a trophy, first awarded in 1872. The reigning champion from the 2024 Open is American Xander Schauffele, who won at Royal Troon Golf Club with a score of 275. The 153rd Open Championship will take place from 17-20 July 2025 at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
The Old Course at St Andrews, a famous golf course in Scotland, is regarded as the oldest in the world. Winning the Open there is considered one of the pinnacles of achievement in golf. Weather, especially wind, plays an important role in the tournament. Golfers have to adapt their game to account for the wind, and the speed of the greens is often slower than usual to avoid being affected by gusts.
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Golf in the US: a centre for the professional game
Golf is a popular sport in the US, and its popularity is growing. While it may not be considered a major sport in the same way that basketball, baseball, and football are, there are more Americans playing golf than ever before. The pandemic reignited Americans' passion for the game, and this trend has continued with the popularity of off-course golf entertainment venues such as Topgolf, Drive Shack, and Popstroke, which have attracted younger and more diverse players. In 2021, more rounds of golf were played in the US than any other year in history.
The US also has a strong professional golf scene. The PGA Tour continues to evolve, with a new schedule of high-stakes events, the introduction of sports betting, and behind-the-scenes content on Netflix. The country also has a strong showing on the PGA Tour Schedule, with tournaments taking place across the country. For example, the 2025 schedule includes tournaments in Connecticut, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia.
The US also has a strong presence on the global golf scene. While the UK may be considered the birthplace of golf, the US has a large number of players on the PGA Tour and the women's LPGA Tour is currently dominated by South Korean golfers.
With its growing popularity and strong professional scene, the US can be considered a centre for the professional game of golf. The country's diverse and growing player base, coupled with its economic impact and fundraising capabilities, make it an important market for the sport.
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Golf in South Africa: a surprise global favourite
Golf in South Africa is a surprise global favourite with over 450 courses spread across the country's diverse landscape. The Western Cape province boasts the most courses, but golf enthusiasts can also find excellent fairways in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.
One of the most famous courses in South Africa is the Gary Player Country Club, which hosted the "Million Dollar Golf Challenge." The club features a long course that winds through the natural landscape, providing a unique golfing experience. Another well-known club is Houghton, which was founded in 1923 and has been associated with championship moments in South African golf. In 2009-2010, a new Jack Nicklaus signature course was built on the property, adding to its prestige.
For those seeking a combination of golf and safari, the Leopard Creek Country Club is the perfect destination. Set on the edge of the Kruger National Park, this course offers a challenging and nature-filled experience. The Links course at Fancourt, designed by Gary Player, is another top-rated option, known for its unique and tough South African golfing experience. Fancourt itself is South Africa's premier golf resort, with three 18-hole courses and a nine-holer exclusively for members, homeowners, and hotel guests.
De Zalze, located outside Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, is renowned for its scenic beauty, with mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop to the course. The Peter Matkovich-designed course hosted the 2006 World Amateur Team Championships, showcasing its striking range of holes and generous fairways. Durban Golf Course, rated 12th in the country, is another popular choice, offering a good overall experience, although some reviewers found the greens and halfway house underwhelming.
South Africa's golf courses showcase modern chic designs with clean lines, formal water features, and lush turf set against the country's diverse and stunning natural backdrops. The country's golf architecture is influenced by renowned designers such as Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Peter Matkovich, and Gary Player, who have left their mark on these courses, making South Africa a surprise global favourite for golfers worldwide.
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Golf in Japan: a sport bouncing back
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country. The sport has a rich history in Japan, dating back to the early 20th century when it was introduced by Westerners. While it used to be an expensive and exclusive sport, today, a large majority of courses are open to the public, with prices ranging from 7,000 to 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including lunch and a golf cart. This makes Japan the second-biggest golf market in the world.
However, in the 1990s, Japanese golf took a hit due to the country's economic slowdown, resulting in the loss of 1,000 golf courses and driving ranges, and a decrease of two million players from its peak. Despite these setbacks, golf in Japan has shown remarkable resilience and is now bouncing back strongly. This resurgence is evident in the growing number of golfers and the development of new courses, with some of the best located around famous resort areas offering stunning views, such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, and Okinawa.
The culture of golf in Japan is unique, with certain traditions and etiquette that golfers are expected to follow. For example, it is customary to tip caddies, usually around $10, despite the no-tipping custom in the country. Additionally, dress codes are strictly enforced, with players required to wear appropriate golf attire, including collared shirts and slacks or shorts/skirts. Some clubs even require sports jackets to be worn in the clubhouse.
Japan offers a diverse range of golfing experiences, from the serene beauty of the Setouchi Golf Resort overlooking the Seto Inland Sea to the vibrant atmosphere of the Edogawa line short course in Tokyo, where trains passing by and the view of the skytree remind golfers they are in the heart of Japan. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the Kasama Forest in Tokyo offers a beautiful parkland course with gently rolling hills, while the Kagoshima area combines golf with ancient Japanese history and a multitude of cultural and culinary delights.
With its mix of traditional and modern influences, vibrant culture, and stunning natural scenery, Japan is a golfer's paradise, offering a unique blend of challenges and experiences that cater to golfers of all skill levels and budgets. The country's golfing landscape is ever-evolving, with new courses and experiences constantly emerging, ensuring that golf in Japan continues to thrive and captivate golfers from around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf originated in Scotland, specifically on the eastern coast of Scotland, in the 15th century.
Golf is played all over the world, but it is particularly popular in the United States, Ireland, South Africa, and Japan.
Some famous golf courses include Pinehurst, Pine Valley, Augusta National, and Cypress Point in the United States; Musselburgh Links, the Old Course at St Andrews, and Leith in Scotland; and The Legend Golf and Safari Resort in South Africa.
The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith formed the first golf club in 1744 and set up an annual competition with silverware prizes.
The first major golf tournament, The Open Championship, was held at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1860.
