Not only in Vietnam but in many other countries as well, golf is often referred to as “a noble pastime” or “a sport for the wealthy.”
Prominent points:
- Golf originated around the 15th century in Scotland. Initially, it was a sport for people from all walks of life. However, as the rules and equipment of golf improved, it gradually became associated with the aristocracy.
- Proper golf attire typically includes collared shirts, specialized shorts or pants. Basic golf equipment consists of clubs, balls, golf bags, tees, gloves, and golf shoes.
- Golf is often seen as a sport for businessmen and the wealthy due to the “club culture,” the allure of the handicapping system, and the high costs involved.
Golf was introduced to Vietnam in the 1920s thanks to King Bao Dai. At that time, golf was a luxury sport for kings and nobles, and few Vietnamese knew about it. Only in the 1990s did golf gain real popularity. However, being well-known doesn’t necessarily mean becoming “common.” From its introduction in Vietnam until now, golf has remained a high-class sport for the affluent elite.
Not only in Vietnam but in many other countries as well, golf is often referred to as “a noble pastime” or “a sport for the wealthy.”
So how did golf originate? Why has this sport become so popular among the upper class? Many people surely have questions about this increasingly famous luxurious pastime.
Historical Formation
According to most researchers, golf emerged around the 15th century in Scotland. In the early centuries, both royalty and ordinary farmers could comfortably play this sport. Impoverished Scots played golf on public lands with makeshift equipment. Back then, golf was a fairly chaotic and often accompanied by social drinking.
In 1457, Scotland banned golf (along with soccer) because it became so popular that people had little time to practice archery – a crucial skill for protecting the country at that time. However, the ban was lifted in 1500.
The first golf club to draft the official rules of the game and organize annual tournaments was founded in 1744 as the “Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.” By the mid-1800s, private organizations worked hard to popularize golf. Essential playing equipment like balls and clubs gradually improved.
Attire and Equipment in Golf
Many golf courses have specific dress codes. However, there are also places that are more lenient in this regard. The strictness of these rules depends on the policies of each golf course. You can guess whether a golf course has a dress code based on the green fee. The higher the fee, the more likely the golf course has certain clothing requirements for players.
Usually, you just need to wear a collared polo shirt and Docker-style shorts or slacks to play on most golf courses. Women can wear a shirt with a golf skirt. Many affordable courses even allow players to wear jeans. However, most golf courses don’t accept jeans, and some upscale courses require players to wear specialized long pants instead of shorts.
To play golf, you need basic equipment such as clubs, balls, golf bags, tees, gloves, and golf shoes. You can also have sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, or a first aid kit.
A Sport for Businessman and the Rickman
Today, golf has become popular in many countries worldwide and is often chosen as a leisure activity by the super-rich. In fact, even in business, wealthy entrepreneurs often take their partners to golf courses to discuss matters. There are many ways to explain this phenomenon.
According to Juliet Lapidos, an editor for the New York Times, one reason is the “club culture.”
Several centuries ago, as golf began to spread, businessmen and some middle-class individuals conceived the idea of creating specialized golf venues in the vast suburbs for themselves and those of the same social status. In other places, people continued to play golf as they always had. However, the club version of golf, with its expensive membership fees, clear rules, standard equipment, and courses, gradually gained dominance.
Alongside the club phenomenon, another theory suggests that the handicap system (assigning points according to a player’s skill and performance) makes this sport particularly appealing to businessmen.
The practice of adjusting points based on a player’s skill became common when the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club established rules in 1898. This allowed players with differing skills, levels, and physical abilities to participate in competitions together. Even players with lower skills could win if they performed well. Businesspeople may feel that the fair and equal nature of golf, with its heroic aspect, could help them negotiate with partners more easily.
Another evident factor that contributes to golf’s image as an aristocratic sport is its extremely high cost.
In Vietnam, the current green fees for an 18-hole round range from around 1 to 3 million Vietnamese dong for non-members. Renting a golf cart costs several hundred to one million dong. That’s not including other expenses such as caddy fees (caddies carry golf bags), club rental, shoe rental, or ball rental. And if you want to own your own set of golf equipment, you need to prepare tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions more. Of course, the membership fees at golf clubs are also “astronomical.”
Besides these factors, golf also appeals to players due to its safety, low injury risk, expansive playing areas with beautiful natural scenery, and unique and unpredictable rules. Therefore, despite its reputation for being “luxurious,” golf remains a beloved and highly-regarded sport.
