What is the Social, Economic,

and Geographic impact of the

global diffusion of Golf?
Gianmarco Petrelli- Third Hour
AP Human Geography
April 17th 2014

Masters Sunday: golfers addictively stare at the television and watch the final rounds wind down
at Augusta National Golf Club. Golf itself has evolved and adapted to the modern century more than any
other sport. As the Masters players were announced, it was becoming more and more prevalent that the
ethnicities of the players are evolving more from the European and American players that traditionally
qualify. The global diffusion of golf is a process that has begun centuries ago 1, and is still occurring today.
The general impact of golf varies by place, but specific factors are obvious. Golf is a game of many
misconceptions as well. There are many who dismiss the sport immediately, and do not realize how much
the game effects the lives and living situations of others. But how specifically has this game where you
hit a ball into a little cup in the ground, affect so many? Socially, economically, and geographically, golf
has shown, as its obvious through the sports income, social standards, and effects on the land.
In most situations, the academic approach to understanding golfs diffusion is to start at the primary cause
of things, how something comes about, and why it came about in that particular way and became what it
is: the origin. Theories and studies have found many influences and variations of the game itself exist.

Pagoncia, a suggested Roman version of golf, and Chuiwan, the Chinese equivalent from around 13681644, are theorized games that show some of the origins of golf. It is also unknown if the two are
connected and have even known of the others existence. History does not see a major occurrence of what
is formulated to be based on modern day golf until the fifteenth century. 3
Scotland is the basis of golf itself, with many critics of the game in this time period. The people
of this Scottish kingdom did not have an interest in the sport itself. Ironically, the king of that time period
despised the game, arguing it was useless, and banned the sport all together. Through the fifteenth
century, the game began to evolve. Research shows different art work began to show symbols that
1 Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)
2

Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)

3 IBID.

resemble golf. Other concepts adapted through the years, include terms such as tee, and stymie have
origins from the influence of the Dutch language. Records show that Golfs first player is said to be King
James IV. Once a largely known political leader began to appreciate the sport, high members of society
began to be play as well, developing the high regarded status of the game. 4
The first instance of the diffusion of golf is from Scotland. Craftsmen in the royal courts
commonly played the game, and it is prevalent seeing how the power bearing elite only played this game.
Proof even indicates that golf clubs were purchased for the king in 1502 through 1506. The sport soon
became a rich mans sport. Although gender was not a concern in the fourteenth century, women in the
sport were allowed to play golf, if they had the means to. Notable women to play the sport even included
Queen Mary of Scots, as the first women golfer. 5 From these old world patterns of elite members of
society playing golf, that same concept transcends into today 6 Golfers from the eastern United States
now take advantage of Las Vegass water supply under the sole reason that they can afford it. 7 This is a
reoccurring theme in the sport that defines a larger social structure impacted just from golf.
Golf diffusing into the European continent took root though many different ways. As people move to a
new country, they bring with them the customs and pastimes to their new home. Scottish settlers in France
made golf a popular sport when it was first introduced in 1856. In Germany, golf became avid there for
very much of the same reasons. English tourists came to Germany to play the sport they so much favored,
and things seem to become popular if a large financial demographic is in demand for it. 8 When the
4

Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)

Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)

6 Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)

7 David Owen, "Drying Out, America's courses are curbing their addiction to water,"
Golf Digest, November 2009
8 IBID.

people of this demographic banded together, the formation of social golf clubs was born. The game came
to America through the merchants who had means of living, during the imperialist era. As these people
come together for the sole purpose of their passion for the game, the first golf club in the western
hemisphere is the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Most of these clubs, like the Foxbourg Golf Club, as well,
tend to stay exclusive. This defines the social structure of a private club, and the people that pay the
money for the club are in the high tier that supports the industry.9
On the other note, the people that make up the general face of golf are very diverse. Referring back to the
Masters, the demographic is changing very much. Players in the Masters vary in age, ethnic backgrounds
and many other ideals. Older players of golf, that still have an interest in the sport, mostly includes
retirees who look at it for the leisure side of the sport, and the spectator aspect of it as well.

10

Not only

retirees, but any players of golf in this high tier of society afford so much the sport has to offer, also
contributing for so much of the sport that they enjoy. The industry conforms to the financial abilities of
the high tier, by charging the tickets for the Masters at $4,886.00, just for the entrance alone to Augusta
National Golf Club.11
Socially, golf can be explained in many ways. Globally, as this game has traveled country to country, and
the different social structures formed are evident. Through its royal past, to how its demographics vary to
this day, golf has a very large social impact.
The money associated with the game of golf is almost is as important as the golf ball itself. Golf
differs from other sports because its need to be played on an outdoor course. The United States has
9 Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopedia Britannica Online (108496)
10 Christopher Laingen and Darrell Napton, "Expansion of golf courses in the United
States," American Geographical Society, accessed April 14, 2014, Gale Expanded
Academic ASAP (A175165599).
11Nikhil Hutheesing, "The Real Economic Impact of Golf," Bloomberg, July 26, 2013,
Business section

roughly 16,000 private and public courses that have arisen since its arrival in the 1800s. Depending
almost entirely on the environment, costs for the actual courses are dependent on the geography of the
course itself. One of the most expensive golf courses in the U.S. is the Trump National Golf Club.
Billionaire Donald Trump pumps millions into the golf industry. Through new courses and modifications,
yet again, a person from this upper tier of people has the ability to control many aspects of the game
itself.12

12 IBID

The industry itself is truly remarkable in the amount of jobs that are available in America from
golf. Roughly two million jobs in the United States, with an income totaling $61 billion, a large
contributor the job market. To put this into perspective, the American golf industry is larger than motion
pictures and video, performing arts, newspapers, and spectator sports as well.

13

The economic impact of

golf is truly amazing. Golf stimulates the economy in large ways. But, this also shows signs of social
separation, and additional social impacts that occur due to the materialistic and brand savvy trends that
occur in the sport. Clothing and accessories totals $2.1 billion, which shows how expensive and reliant on
money the sport is.14
Though this billion dollar industry doesnt seem like it can be affected by much, there are
still factors that can provide different statistics and cause some type of change. The revenue created by
golf decreased from $75 billion to $69 billion during 2005 through 2011, mostly as part of the recession
that affected so many people in a high end industry like golf. During 2009, clubs and members were just
as affected as everyone else was. Golf cart sales were down by twenty nine percent. Although there has
been a steady decline, the revenue from golf tops spectator sports like baseball, basketball, football, and
hockey combined. The economic advancement of golf has led the development for innovations to
improve the game itself by even introducing experimental hovercraft golf carts. 15
The impact of golf on its players spills over into other industries as well. Tourism related to golf
is a very large figure. Playing at the same course every week and knowing the players home course, like
the back of ones hand, starts to become tedious. Golfers like to look for the extra challenge, and try their

13 World Golf Foundation. Last modified 2011. Accessed April 15, 2014.

http://www.worldgolffoundation.org/industry-initiatives/image-of-the-game/

14 Nikhil Hutheesing, "The Real Economic Impact of Golf," Bloomberg, July 26, 2013,
Business section
15 IBID

best to find other options to spice up their play. Tourism allows these golfers to have this opportunity.
Included with tourism income, the golf economy expands to a very large $177 billion. The high tier of
golfers visits golf courses all around the world, and a sole income totals $20.6 billion. These large factors
almost make up an entire industry on its own that would be primarily golf tourism. 16
The diffusion of golf was even more rapid following the Second World War. Of the countries
affected by the war, Asian golf clubs were on the rise. While one would be built in a geographic area, it
seemed that soon after, another would be under construction. This diffusion to Asia can be described as
contagious diffusion. While golf has diffused to Japan, many factors limit the sport here. Japans total area
is very small, making the sport extremely expensive there. Only the elite members of society could afford
the cost of golf clubs, and the green fees incurred in Japan. 17 Social economics is largely tied to the
people that can afford the expensive prices of major tournaments, as well as clubs and green fees. Not
only are the financial situations based on individual income, golf courses have just as many costs that
result in the lush green grasses that they are known for. Water costs are largely dependent on how well the
club can keep its grounds maintained and how well every gallon used. 18
The diffusion of golf has led to the large concentration of golf courses on the east coast of the
Unites States. Reasoning for these locations is that the climate conditions offer the ability to easily upkeep
the land, as well as the fact that the game originated in the east with the first golf course in the United
States located there. 19 Another significant economic feature of golf is the $3.1 billion used for the
construction of residential homes located around golf courses. The total for real estate in the U.S. for golf
real estate is $4.7 billion, showing the stimulating effects it has on a national housing economy. Homes
16 Nikhil Hutheesing, "The Real Economic Impact of Golf," Bloomberg, July 26, 2013,
Business section
17 Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopaedia Britannica Online (108496).
18 David Owen, "Drying Out, America's courses are curbing their addiction to
water," Golf Digest, November 2009

adjacent to or on golf courses are not very cheap. The general demand for a golf home has increased to
the point that developers are reducing course sizes for homes to be built surrounding the course itself. 20

19 Christopher Laingen and Darrell Napton, "Expansion of golf courses in the United
States," American Geographical Society, accessed April 14, 2014, Gale Expanded
Academic ASAP (A175165599)
20 Nikhil Hutheesing, "The Real Economic Impact of Golf," Bloomberg, July 26, 2013,
Business section

Overall, the economic impact of golf is extremely varied with multiple factors that have influenced the
nations economy and influence into other industries, which are dependent on revenue from golf related
economics.
Geography plays a major role in the game of golf. The understanding of how golf has impacted
the landscape and varied environmental factors is significant. The geography and placement of golf
courses affect many economic factors including water supply. 21
The diffusion of golf in America is solely due to John Reid. Reid was said to be the father of
American golf, being known to have first brought Scottish golf clubs to America, which began the
manipulation of Americas land for the use of golf courses. During the British Imperialism era, merchants
brought golf to other colonies as well. British industrialists during the colonial era are the sole reason for
the oldest golf club outside of Britain. The Calcutta Golf Club in India is largely responsible for the
contagious diffusion of Asian golf clubs. The oldest club with document proof that has impacted the
landscape since 1744 is the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. These courses that have been
around for hundreds of years are living examples that for more reasons than one, these courses have
changed the landscape 22.
St.Andrews England has been manipaulated by man for golf since 1506 during the time of King James, a
fan of the game. Still operating today, St.Andrews Links is said to be The Home of Golf 23. This golf
course, along with many other thousands, affect the geography by being able to distinctly see the course
from space, in aerial shots of the land. 24
21 David Owen, "Drying Out, America's courses are curbing their addiction to
water," Golf Digest, November 2009,
22 Golf, accessed April 2, 2014, Encyclopaedia Britannica Online (108496).
23 St.Andrew's Links, accessed April 16, 2014, http://www.standrews.org.uk/
24 Christopher Laingen and Darrell Napton, "Expansion of golf courses in the United
States," American Geographical Society, [Page #], accessed April 14, 2014, Gale
Expanded Academic ASAP (A175165599)

The actual land that golf is played on is very beautiful and healthy environments. The greens themselves
cool the surrounding areas. To obtain the beauty that courses offer to their players, irrigation and water
consumption are another issues that impact geography. Water consumption for the sole purpose of golf
equals one-half of one percent of the United States annual water consumption. Changing the environment
completely will also require the use of water. Building courses in deserts requires much work that cannot
be easily be managed. Golf superintendents in Las Vegas have mastered irrigation systems that sustain
golf courses in these terribly hot environments. 25 Irrigation efforts add buildings that recycle water that
are placed around golf courses in deserts, affecting the geography of the area, and add reservoirs and
rivers for added methods of keeping everything watered. 26
Socially, economically, and geographically the global diffusion of golf has impacted all of these factors in
numerous ways. As new social structures arose from the impact, the global diffusion of the game is
entirely due to the social pride and boasts golfers have for the sport they so much enjoy. Economically,
golf is entirely related to money as one of its most reliable resources. The finances that the game of golf
has and injects into the economy and industry makes golf a significant economic benefactor. The
geographic impact is the most visible form of the impact of golf. Golf courses, residential areas, and the
diffusion of the game has led to the landscape of lands change as they all conform to the games standards
and what is environmentally available. To conclude, the impacts of golf in these factors are endless. The
game of golf feels like it is endless at times, but people carry many misconceptions on the sport, and fail
to realize that it has impacted us in multiple ways, and continues to do so.

25 David Owen, "Drying Out, America's courses are curbing their addiction to
water," Golf Digest, November 2009
26 IBID

27

Japanese Golf Course in Gotemba.

28

Golf Economic Report 2011

27 Bennett Galloway, Golf at Mount Fuji, 2012, CNN Travel
28 Golf2020 SRI International, 2011 Golf Economic Report