With the Masters Tournament recently behind us- let’s talk golf. More specifically, the debate over how to classify the game and its participants. Despite its global popularity, should golf be considered a sport and are golfers’ athletes? 

In the early 1800s the definition of "sport" was used loosely. It included any activity that provided amusement or diversion, whether physical or mental. "Sport" was associated with playing games and simply having fun. Outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, boxing and horse racing were considered forms of "sport." The growth of the middle class and a desire for leisure time contributed to the increasing popularity of "sports," to break free from work and it was often viewed within a social context. The development of organized, rule-based team sports like baseball, football, and basketball began to emerge. The term "sport" evolved as well, becoming associated with competitive, physically active games. 

According to Merriam-Webster, the current definition of a sport is "a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other." 

Sports philosopher Bernard Suits determined four elements that distinguish sports from games:

• Must be a game of mental skill
• Must be a game of physical skill
• Must have a wide following
• Must achieve institutional stability

Let’s apply these principles to the game of golf to determine if it is a sport. According to the official rulebook, “The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.”

Golf is inherently competitive, with players completing on a course to determine who can achieve the fewest strokes possible. In the U.S., there are around 700 PGA tour events annually, plus numerous other local and national golf competitions, bringing the total to over 800,000 golf events every year. 

According to Forbes in 2023, golf's impact in the United States has topped $100 billion, a 20% increase since 2016. When golf’s indirect contributions (through impact on travel, hotel stays, and strategic home purchases) are included, the contribution to the U.S. economy tops $200 billion.

While not as physically demanding as some other sports, golf still requires physical exertion, including walking a 6-7-mile-long course with a golf bag. Even with a cart, you're likely to walk three or four miles to tee boxes, greens and to your ball in the fairway. In addition to walking, swinging a golf club requires balance and strength. Faster clubhead speeds are crucial for driving distance and power, but they need to be controlled to avoid losing accuracy. Proper technique, including grip, stance, and swing path, is paramount for accurate ball striking.  Developing power and endurance in the back and shoulders is also necessary to maintain control and consistency. These are a few reasons serious golfers add cardio, strength and flexibility to their workout routine.

According to Mike Bailey, writer forGolfpass.com, Golf demands mental focus, strategy, and the ability to adapt to various course conditions. Mistakes in golf cost you dearly, they are both immediately penalizing and cumulative in stroke play. When professional golfers have a 120-yard shot to the green, they are expected to propel a tiny white ball into the air to within an area just 20- or 30-feet wide. The area covered is close to the distance from home plate to the centerfield wall in baseball.

Golf is a sport that requires focus and a quiet mind. Most team sports rely on reaction, requiring a bit less focus. Plus, teammates help fill the gaps. Golf is not about focusing on results but staying in the moment. It's a balance that's extremely difficult to achieve.

Let’s summarize:

1) Golf is guided by a set of specific rules

2) Golf has a global following

3) Golf makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy and has Olympic accreditation

4) Individuals compete against each other to achieve the fewest strokes possible

 5) Golf is a game that requires acute mental awareness and specific physical skill.

Yes, golf is a game of sport; therefore, we can reasonably assume that if golf is a game of physical skill, then golfers must be athletes.

In the early 1800’s, an athlete was a more complex figure than just a simple sportsman; they embodied the greatest virtues of a human being. Perhaps drawing more of a likeness to Olympic athletes.

Today, we don’t hold our athletes to the same elevation of standards. Merriam-Webster currently defines “athlete” as “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.  

Yes. Golf is a sport, and golfers are athletes.