Golf is an incredibly old pastime that first originated back in the 15th century in Scotland. Fast forward to today and it is one of the most popular activities that can be played in courses all over the world. But, is golf a sport or a skill? Is it strictly reserved for old people and wealthy businessmen? And where is golf the most popular? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Is golf a sport or a skill?
One of the most common questions that people ask is whether it’s a sport or a skill. The answer? It’s both.
While golf certainly doesn’t require brute strength and intense athleticism, it is a legitimate and highly competitive sport that is loved by people all over the world.
Not only that, but golf does require an exceptional amount of skill to master. At a glance, those who have never picked up a golf club will happily talk about how easy it looks; after all, you just swing the club and see how far you can smack the ball, right? Well, contrary to popular belief, golf is among one of the most difficult sports in the world. So much so in fact, that most people can’t even hit the ball, let alone send it 600 yards to score a hole-in-one!
Sure, golf as a skill might not be the most sought-after trade in an apocalyptic ‘end of the world’ scenario. However, at least you’ll be able to shoot golf balls off an aircraft carrier like a boss, I Am Legend style.
Is golf an old person’s sport?
Another misconception about golf is that it is a sport strictly reserved for old men and wealthy dentists. However, golf is widely considered as being a ‘lifetime’ sport, which means that you can play and enjoy the sport whether you are 4 years old or 100.
In fact, if the golf terminology is anything to go by, you’d assume that the sport was created by children, for children:
- Eagle
- Birdie
- Triple bogey
- Putt
- Bunker
- Flop shot
- Yips
- Waggle (to name a few).
The good news is that today, more and more younger people are getting into golf and the amount of women who are playing competitively has increased significantly.
Yes, golf is certainly enjoyed by a lot of older people because it isn’t the most physically demanding sport, you get to spend all day outside in nature and sunshine, and you can tear around the field in a little golf buggy which is an awful lot of fun. However, if you are young and you’ve been thinking about trying the sport out for yourself, you’ll be pleased to learn that you are more than welcome to pick up a club and give it a whirl.
Where is golf most popular?
So, where is golf most popular? It might surprise you to learn that golf is loved by all and played in countries all over the world. However, there are certain countries that love it that little bit more! Here’s a look at some of the countries where golf is most popular:
- Ireland
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- United States
- South Africa
- Japan
While the above 6 countries are considered the most popular locations for golfing, you can quite literally do it anywhere. In fact, if you are thinking about retiring to Thailand or Vietnam, these tropical locations are home to some of the finest golf courses in the entire world.
In the same breath, if you are relocating your life to Australia or simply wish to visit down under for an extended holiday with a round or two of golf, we too have some stunning golf courses that are well worth a try.
You can find a comprehensive list of each country’s top 100 golf courses at top100golfcourses.com
Is golf popular in Australia?
According to the top 100 golf courses website, Australia is quickly falling in love with golf as a pastime.
While Australia is one of the largest countries in the world, it has the lowest population density. That said, it hasn’t stopped the Aussies from making their way onto the list of popular golfing destinations.
Today, more than 460,000 Australians belong to a golf course and over 1.3 million (some 10% of the country’s population) are regularly playing the sport!
Is golf the most stylish sport?
Despite the fact that golf is widely considered as being an ‘old person’s sport’, nobody can deny just how stylish everyone looks when they play it. You can check out Golf Gear Australia for some inspiration when choosing your next outfit.
Sure, Motor Cross athletes are cool, Rugby players are tough, and professional Pool players can likely drink everyone under the table, however, when it comes to looking fresh AF, the golfers take the trophy!
Conclusion
Let’s have a little recap:
- Is golf a sport or a skill: It’s both!
- Is golf for old people: Nope! People of all ages and genders love playing golf.
- Where is golf most popular: Golf is a widely popular sport that can be played all over the world but the most favoured countries include Ireland, Canada, the UK, the US, South Africa, and Japan.
- Is golf popular in Australia: Roughly 10% of the Australian population plays golf.
- Is golf the most stylish sport: It’s a resounding yes. There are few sports that allow you to dress up to the 9s and wonder around punting balls and yelling fore.
So, what do you think? Are you going to give playing golf a try? If you are looking for a fun and relaxing sport that requires a great deal of skill to master – and can be played outside in the sunshine and on courses all over the world – then you should almost certainly gear up and get ready to tee off.
