Can Golf Increase In Popularity Post-Rio Olympics

For over a century, golf has been one of the most established games in the USA. However, it is a game that has not exactly grown at the same rate south of the US-Mexico border. In fact, the further south one travels, the less likely it is to see golf courses dotting the highways and byways of the land like it is in the US.

The Rio Olympics could change all of that, however. With many of the world’s best golfers heading to Rio to participate in the men’s and women’s tournaments, a generation of potential players could be turned on to the game.

In reality, it is perfect timing for a new generation and new countries to be turned onto the sport of golf. The game is in decline in the US, and though it puts a reported $70 billion a year into the US’s economy, it looks like the game could continue to lose popularity in the future. Kids are choosing different sports and with the internet-age wanting self-gratification immediately, golf could be yesterday’s sport.

Possible Appeal to Growing Middle Classes

It is believed that the game’s popularity in the US is dying due to the game’s slow pace, something that may appeal to people in South America. An 18-hole game could be just what the growing middle classes of Brazil need after a week at the office. The game has already seen exponential growth in Japan and South Korea thanks to this, and the concept of business being done while playing golf. Both could be factors to the growth of the game. Japan and South Korea continue to see strong players in women’s game. The years of economic growth enabled younger generations to pick up the game.

It must be remembered that the countries in South America are still growing financially, and middle classes and the wealthy are seeing more money and free-time these days; much like Japan and South Korea did. Golf is a game that needs both money and time. Soccer, long the pastime of the continent, has had much longevity due to the inexpensiveness of playing the game. Meanwhile, golf is far from inexpensive, which for decades prevented many from picking up the sport.

Interestingly, while golf is declining in the US, it is soccer that is gaining more and more momentum. The fast paced sport is winning over fans of all economic backgrounds, and is no longer – like golf is – for those of a certain financial background.

While the US is experimenting with ways to improve the game and make it more exciting, South America is just trying to teach the basics. Brazil, home of the 2016 Olympics, is leading the way. It has the strongest economy of South American countries, along with the infrastructure to play.

New Golf Courses Opening in Brazil

According to Cybergolf, more than 30 new golf courses are under construction or in the planning stages in Brazil. The country is home to over 200 million people and with a set of new golf courses available for the new money in the country, Brazil can become the new leaders of golf. There is of course some way to go to catch established golfing nations such as Scotland, England, USA, Spain and Portugal but it doesn’t hurt that women make 25% of all members at South American golf clubs. Perhaps it won’t be too long until the best women in the world on the LPGA come from Brazil.

The women’s golf organisation has only one female in the top 100 that hails from South American right now. That woman is Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe, who clocks in at number 72. The men’s circuit features just one South American male in the top 50, with that being Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo.

With new golf courses, a set of improving economies and this summer’s Olympic Games being held in Brazil, it may just be a matter of time until South America reaches the same levels as North America or Western Europe in its golf proclivities. Just like Japan and South Korea, the continent can see the game grow thanks to the hard work of millions to improve its economies.