The International Golf Federation (IGF) is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the world governing body for golf.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) oversees the sport of golf at the international level, including its involvement in major events like the Olympic Games and the World Amateur Team Championships. In the context of these competitions, there are two main disciplines in golf: men’s golf and women’s golf.
In men’s golf, the primary event is the Eisenhower Trophy, which is a biennial competition for amateur male golfers. Teams from different countries compete over four rounds of stroke play. The lowest team score is calculated by adding the two best individual scores from each round. This format encourages teamwork while still highlighting individual performance.
In women’s golf, the Espirito Santo Trophy is the corresponding event for amateur female golfers. Like the men’s competition, it is held every two years and follows a similar format. Teams of two or three players from various countries compete in stroke play, with the best scores from each team contributing to the overall team score.
Golf in the Olympic Games includes both men's and women's individual stroke play events. Players compete over four rounds, with the lowest total score determining the winner. There are no team events in the Olympics for golf, and the focus is on individual achievements.
Both the Eisenhower and Espirito Santo Trophies and the Olympic golf events are important for promoting golf on the global stage, encouraging competition at the highest level, and helping to grow the sport in different countries. These disciplines ensure that golf remains a competitive and inclusive sport for both men and women.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) has two main categories of membership:
Roles of Members
The International Golf Federation (IGF) was founded in 1958 and serves as the global governing body for the sport of golf. Initially known as the World Amateur Golf Council, it was established to organise international amateur competitions. In 2003, the organisation changed its name to reflect its broader role in governing both amateur and professional golf globally.
The IGF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the official federation for golf. It played a crucial role in reinstating the sport to the Olympic Games in 2016 after its last inclusion in 1904. Since then, golf has become a core sport in the Olympic programme, with events held in both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics and planned for future Games.
The Federation’s headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland, near the shores of Lake Geneva. This location is a hub for several international sports organisations, further establishing IGF’s close ties with the Olympic movement. The IGF’s leadership is headed by President Annika Sörenstam, a legendary figure in women’s golf, with Ty Votaw serving as Vice President.
The IGF has two key membership categories: 132 National Federation Members, representing 126 countries, and 22 Professional Members, consisting of professional golf tours and associations, including the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tours. This extensive membership allows the IGF to foster global growth and development of golf at both grassroots and elite levels.
In addition to its role in the Olympic movement, the IGF organises major biennial events such as the World Amateur Team Championships, which include the Eisenhower Trophy for men and the Espirito Santo Trophy for women. These championships help promote the sport among amateur golfers worldwide and encourage international competition.
