The Globalization Of Golf

The globalization of golf is demonstrated by five different cities: Santiago, Chile; Beijing, China; Nairobi, Kenya; Awali, Bahrain; and Munich, Germany because they all contain golf culture diffused from Scotland even though they are situated in entirely different parts of the world; this particular example of globalization can also be described by the terms: place, region, scale, space, and connections. The origins of golf can be traced back to the 15th century, when a sport resembling golf was first played with a bent stick and a stuffed ball. It is widely accepted that the foundations of golf started in Scotland; one of the oldest and most honored golf clubs, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, is located in Scotland. At

the time, many leaders in the country formed a conspiracy to ban the sport because they thought it would intervene with archery practice crucial for military purposes. King James IV of Scotland was part of the conspiracy at first to preserve archery in 1491, but lifted the ban when he became a loyal golf player himself ten years later.

Following the lift of the ban, the Commoners became more comfortable with playing golf and those that did not dare to play before because of the ban began to join in. Through hierarchical diffusion, King James IV had spread the practice of playing golf among his people. Soon, golf had become a popular sport for the Scottish. However, the sport did not become well-known in lands outside of Scotland until the industrial boom of the late 19th century. During the 1850s, Balmoral Castle was built in the Scottish Highlands and there were railways placed through St. Andrews in 1852. By the 1860s, there were transportation systems connecting London and Edinburgh, which allowed the Scottish and English to travel conveniently between Scotland and England. The culture of golfing was spread through relocation diffusion as the golf players in Scotland traveled to England. They shared their ways with the English people, which is how golfing became a practiced sport in England, and eventually, the rest of Great Britain as well. As technology advanced, British golfers were able to travel to greater distances and share their knowledge of golf with the people in other European countries, like Germany. Meanwhile, technology kept advancing and soon there was telephone service which allowed people to connect and introduce golf to others without the hassle of traveling. This contagious diffusion occurred especially when televisions were invented and golfing events could be broadcasted around the globe, which meant that people in China and Chile were being exposed to the idea of golf. Additionally, with the development of golf tournaments involving countries around the world, more and more countries like Kenya and Bahrain are becoming knowledgeable and involved with golf.

Together, the five cities of Santiago, Beijing, Nairobi, Awali, and Munich represent globalization through the sport of golf.

Although these cities are located in entirely different parts of the world, they are all locations of distinct golf courses. The standard way golf is played in the countries of these different cities is the same as well. Apart, these cities can also be seen as individual examples of globalization. Santiago, Chile is located on the west coast of South America and demonstrates globalization because it provides much of the world’s wood resources. Beijing, China is an example of globalization because after they joined the WTO, many companies immediately set up facilities there, which connected China to the rest of the world. Nairobi, Kenya demonstrates globalization because many Africans became rich through Kenya’s interaction with other countries. Awali, Bahrain represents globalization because a golf course was especially constructed there since the environment there is very dry and golf is usually played on grassy fields; this shows that many people in Awali have been exposed to golf. Munich, Germany demonstrates globalization because car brands first developed there can now be found all over the globe. The globalization of golf can be described by the geographic terms: place, region, connections, space, and scale. Place relates to the globalization of golf because these five cities are all examples of different places on Earth that share a common trait: playing golf. Region is linked to the globalization of golf as well because the regions in which these places are located are different no matter if it is from a cultural or environmental perspective, but it is because of the connections and interactions between these cities that helped golf to globalize through the difficulties of these differences and the barrier of space. The globalization of golf can also be shown with scale. It is undeniable that golf is becoming a worldwide sport

when at a local scale, several golf courses can be found in one single city. In conclusion, the effects of the diffusion of golf can be seen in Santiago, Beijing, Nairobi, Awali, and Munich; when the cities are analyzed together with the aspects of place, region, connections, space, and scale it is clear that golf has become a global source of entertainment for people throughout the world.