Golf is a sport of precision, strategy, and endurance, where players strike a ball with a club into series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Unlike most sports, no two playing fields are alike - each golf course is uniquely shaped by the natural and designed landscape. A standard round consists of 18 holes, with players competing individually or as teams.
Image Source: Britannica
Popularity of Golf
Golf is one of he most widely played and watched sports globally, with deep traditions in Europe, North America, and Asia. It combines leisure and competition, attracting both casual players and professional athletes. Golf has a vast international following through the PGA Tour, European Tour (DP World Tour), and major tournaments like The Masters and The Open Championship.
Leading Nations
The sport's modern birthplace is Scotland, which continues to play a central role. Today, United States golfers dominate rankings and major tournaments, producing legends like Tiger Woods. Other leading nations include Spain, Ireland, England, and in Asia, South Korea and Japan have risen as major forces, especially in women's golf.
Iconic Golf venues
Golf courses are defined by their geography - rolling hills, coastal winds, and landscapes shape every shot. Iconic venues include St Andrews Links in Scotland, known as the "Home of Golf", Augusta National in the USA, and Pebble Beach in California. The geographical diversity of these courses - links by the sea, inland parklands, desert layouts- illustrates golf's deep connection to landscape.
Golf in Chungcheong 2027
At the 2027 FISU World University Games, golf will be played at the Golfzon County Anseong Q course in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, within thw wider Chungcheong megacity region. Anseong's terrain of rolling hills and green landscapes offers a natural backdrop, perfectly suited for a sport where geography itself is the playing field. The course will showcase both Korea's golf culture and its scenic environment.
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Major stars include Tiger Woods (USA) and Jack Nicklaus (USA). Koreans have rising stars such as Jin Young Ko, and Sei Young Kim.
Golf through a Geographical lens
Golf is perhaps the sport most tied to geography - every course is shaped by its environment. Coastal links, mountain courses, desert layouts, and parkland designs all reflect the interplay of sport and landscape. Players must constantly adapt to wind, terrain, and weather, making geography part of the challenge itself. At Chungcheong 2027, the Anseong course will not only host competition but also highlight how Korea's landscapes are woven into the global story of Golf
