Golfer’s Day Date in the current year: April 10, 2026

Golf is an outdoor sport in which players use different types of clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes. The main difference between golf and most other ball games is that golf does not have a standardized playing area. In fact, navigating the varied terrain players encounter on different courses is an important part of the game.

While the ancient origins of golf are disputed, historians agree that the modern game originated in Scotland in the 15th century. The first written record of the game dates back to a 1457 act of the Parliament of Scotland, which banned golf and football because they interfered with archery training. However, James IV, himself a golfer, lifted the ban and bought a set of clubs in 1502. Musselburgh Links, located in East Lothian, claims to be the world’s oldest golf course. The first documented game of golf was played there in 1672.

Golf spread outside of Scotland in the early 17th century due to the Union of the Crowns. When James VI ascended to the thrones of England and Ireland as James I and settled at Greenwich Palace, several of his Scottish courtiers followed him to London and played golf there. The first recorded instance of golf being played in North America occurred in 1743. The oldest golf tournament in existence is the Open Championship, which was first played in 1860.

The countries with the highest number of golf courses today are the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, South Korea, Sweden, China, Spain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, and Thailand. The countries with the most courses per million people are, in descending order: Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Denmark, and the United States.

Golf is one of the few sports in which the distinction between amateur and professional players is strictly enforced. Professional golfers play golf as a career and earn money from winning tournaments, sponsorships, endorsements, and appearance fees. Amateur golfers primarily play for development or competition and do not earn money, except for prize money below a certain threshold (£700 or $1,000 as of 2022).

Although the origins of Golfer’s Day are unclear, that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating this amazing holiday! If you’re a golfer, you can celebrate by treating yourself to some new equipment or teaching a friend how to play. If you’ve never played before but have always wanted to, now is your chance!

If there are no golf courses near you or if the weather doesn’t permit playing, celebrate by reading about famous golfers, watching a golf tournament or movie, or playing a golf video game (yes, there are golf video games). And don’t forget to spread the word on social media by posting about the holiday with the hashtag #GolfersDay.