Golf As An Olympic Sport

I read recently where The International Golf Federation is petitioning the International Olympic Committee to have golf included in the Olympics for the 2016 games. A number of the world’s leading golfers, including Tiger Woods, are backing this effort. Hmmmm… golf in the Olympics, I hadn’t really thought much about this before but let’s think about this for a minute.

Tiger Woods has written a 32 page brochure to the International Olympic Committee member from the US. Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, Vijah Singh, and Sergio Garcia have also written to their respective IOC members. So this effort has the backing of the big names in golf.

Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 games in St Louis. So it has some history behind it. Why would it not be approved for 2016? Well I’m not clued in to Olympic politics, but I do know that for this upcoming vote, the game of golf is competing with baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash. Well those all seem to be legitimate contenders (I’m not too sure about roller sports??) for the most part. But let’s look deeper at this for a moment.

First, what does the game have going for it to be considered by the IOC? Well, golf is truly an international sport. It is also a big time money making, spectator sport. The Ryder Cup in recent years has shown that it can truly competitive between countries and regions of the world. All positives.

Although I have heard some say it is too boring to watch on TV…heresy! In defense I am compelled to say this about golf as a spectator sport and as a legitimate potential Olympic sport. If synchronized swimming, archery, badminton, and ping pong are in and good spectator sports, how can you leave out golf? I mean come on people!

Obviously, as a golf nut, I am all for it being included in the Olympics. But on the flip side, what does golf possibly have going against it being included? Well one thing that concerns me is the length of the game. Even if you go with match play, which I assume they would, if matches are competitive, it is one of the longest events from start to finish.

I wonder if the number of countries that would field a team might work against it? Golf is international in scope, but I’m not sure if it truly world wide enough as a team sport to reclaim its’ spot in Olympic history. And I worry that the game may have too much of an association with the US and ,unfortunately, we are not the most popular of countries right now.

The final decision will be in October when they decide which sports to add and also choose the host city. Until then, my vote is in. What about you golfers out there, what do you think? Well, vote here in our poll and let us know what you think.

Until next time golf nuts!