The International Golf Federation is lobbying hard with the International Olympic Committee to get golf into the Olympics in 2016. And an unaffiliated group has launched a Web site, www.golfin2016.org, to poll visitors on the question of golf in the Olympics. Actually, their poll is more like a petition - they appear to only be counting the "yes" votes, and if you vote "no" you are urged to return later and vote "yes" instead.
Not that many golfers will be voting no (presumably), but just in case, here's a poll where the "no" votes are also publicly counted:
In the press release announcing the golfin2016.org site, it was noted that there are seven sports applying to fill two open spots in the 2016 Olympics: Golf, baseball, softball, karate, rugby sevens, squash and roller sports.
It's very easy for golfers to look at that list - and to look at some of the "sports" already included in the Olympics - and say, of course golf deserves to be included. On the other hand, golf is a sport that doesn't need the Olympics. Golf already has multiple tournaments that would outshine any Olympic golf tournament, and I suspect that after the first Olympic tournament many - perhaps most - of the top players would skip the Olympics. I see an Olympic golf tournament field resembling a Fall Series field, at least after the first one.
In men's golf, anyway. Women's golf needs all the help it can get in capturing the attention of the golfing public, not to mention the general public. And the stars of women's golf seem much more into doing what they can to promote their sport. So I think an Olympic women's golf tournament would be both more important to the sport and its players and also more successful in drawing the top players.
So in the poll above, I voted "yes." But it was more like a "sure, why not."
Comments
they’ve got olympic table tennis, why not golf too?
I agree golf is a sport and one one the only truly amateur sports left, but why have a pole that does not register your vote, I voted and my friends voted and the number of votes cast did not chages, rigged?
I voted no and I am a 72 year old golfer, Olympic events to me are for young athletes who are in their prime. Golf is a sport that older participants can compete and brute strength, endurance and youth are not a prime requirement. How many stadiums in the world where Olympics are held would have the room to build an 18 hole golf course. Golf is a sport that unless you are a golfer very people will watch. Sure it will catch anyones attention to watch a touring pro sink a 30 foot putt but the rest of the time to the average tv viewer they will switch channels. This is why I voted no but, if it is installed as an Olympic event you can bet your boots that I will watch it.
YES, definitely! Young men and women, amatuers only, AMATEURS ONLY, would be a great addition to the Olympics and also great for the sport and the fans around the world. Young amateurs only who have never competed professionally. What a fantastic addition to the Olympics! Beautiful idea! Let’s do it!
Golf does not belong in the Olympics anymore than Formula 1 belongs
The IOC is being controlled by the big Sports corporations who just want more brand exposure.This can clealy be heard in the voices of Tiger etc as they try to sound convincing about the inclusion of golf as an Olympic sport.Golf has its measure of greatness in the game,the 4 Majors.We DONT need the Olympics! Ask tiger what he would rather have 10 Olympic golds or 1 Major event that Hogan and Nicklaus won!!!!
The IOC is as we know CORRUPT.The IOC is trying to control all sports as if they are the ultimate accolade that can be bestowed upon a sport.Golfers dont need an olypic gold to value themselves anymore than soccer players do.Kick the Olympics out of Golf now.
The IOC has lost its way due to the ongoing corruption by the TV companies and the Sports brands.The Olympics will always be a extreme physical endurance test.This is why we associate it with track and field,swimming,rowing,cyclingetc.I say kick horse jumping out too.
Given time we will see Formula 1 included and Playstation events!!! hey trust me on that.
You cannot fight the corruption,theres too much money involved.All you can try is to speak out against its inclusion with everybody.
REAL golfers DONT want golf included.
DONT let the IOC manipulate you for they are as corrupt an organization as you’ll find anywhere.They have no morals and are as I stated money directed.The corinthian values that they once proudly held are gone long ago due to the money involved.Professional sports rule,money rules,amatuer sport can go to hell just ask the IOC.