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256 golf tourism
hours, workplace facilities) and environmental
effects. Moreover, because of the large amounts
of capital required to develop a major tourism
sector and of the frequent absence of available local
capital, developing countries are usually forced to
allow TNFs to dominate their tourism sectors.
Thinking of tourism in terms of globalisation
changes the shift in focus from short-term problems
�such as waste disposal) to more fundamental issues
�such as corporate control) and goals �such as
development that improves the quality of life of
local people).
See also: internationalisation; transportation,
globalisation of
References
Sklair, L. �1994) `Capitalism and development in
global perspective,' in L. Sklair �ed.) Capitalism
and Development, London and New York: Routledge,
165±85.
global village see globalisation
golf tourism
PAUL F. WILKINSON, CANADA
Golf has universal appeal to both residents and
tourists alike. Golf originated in Scotland in the
fifteenth century and was played on an open field
with rough edges. In 1754, the Royal and Ancient
Golf Club was established in St. Andrew's. In 1867,
the first women's golf club was formed, introducing
golf as a female recreation to the world. The
first national golf championship, held in Scotland
in 1860, was limited to professionals. In 1861 it was
open to the world as the British Open. The first
British Ladies Amateur Championship was held in
1893, at the Lytham and St Anne's Club.
Approximately 20 million people worldwide
play the game. One can golf in a beautiful country
surroundings, on courses twenty-four hours a day
with a never-setting sun, or without a blade of grass
on desert layouts in simple dunes with oiled greens.
Many golf tourists stay in resorts which have
specific courses and professional training in the
game. Competition takes place on private, semiprivate
and public courses. Private courses cater to
members and their guests. Semi-private establishments
service members and green fee-paying
outside customers. Public grounds are open to all
enthusiasts. In most golf resorts a wide range of
facilities is provided, such as lodging, pools, spas,
restaurants, practice ranges, video swing analysers
and simulators. For travelling golfers and
spectators seeking golf enjoyment, most countries
have tourism boards offering golf information.
Further, there are well-organised regional, national
and international tournaments for professionals
and amateurs, sanctioned by the various golf
associations. Major golf events draw large numbers
of tourists, notably the Masters Tournament, Ryder
Cup Series and worldwide Professional Golf
Association tournaments.
As the greatest obstacles to golf are time, money
and space, the pitch-and-putt facility, initiated in
Ireland several decades ago, is gaining popularity.
Distances vary from 20 yards to 80 yards with nine
holes; a loft iron and putter are used. This
shortened terrain and time saving hold much for
golf tourists. The `golf attacheÂ', a computerised golf
course in a briefcase, is also gaining in interest for
travellers.
Further reading
Campbell, M. �1991) The Encyclopedia of Golf,
London: Dorling Kindersley. �Covers golf 's
history, rules, site, personalities and traditions.)
government
JOSEPH KURTZMAN, CANADA
JOHN ZAUHAR, CANADA
There probably has always been a close connection
between tourism and government. In fact, some of
the earliest tourists were heads of state and other
political dignitaries who went great distances to
visit other leaders or holy sites. Much early tourism
included diplomats representing their heads of state
as they delivered official messages or negotiated
issues between their ruler and others. As commerce
grew and developed, tourism became characterised