ABSTRACT
Golf in South America is relatively under-developed compared to golf in Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America. This is reflected in the relatively low number of golf courses, golf participants and limited success of their elite golfers. There is optimism to develop the game further, an optimism underpinned to some extent by growing economies, investment in golf resort facilities and emphasis on participation-oriented golf programmes. This chapter reviews popularity of golf, as reflected in golf participation numbers and the provision of golf facilities. The major governing organizations for golf in South America are identified. This chapter also examines elite golf in South America, by reflecting on the pathways to elite golf and the elite South American tournaments. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the importance of the golf tourism and the effort to grow the sport through participation programmes and leverage participation outcomes from the 2016 Olympic Games.
