Challenges Faced by African American Golfers Pursuing Professional Careers

Trailblazing: A Historical Overview of the Advocacy Work of Four Legendary Black Golf Professionals

“…Further research, therefore, is needed to uncover the limitations and the systemic oppressions that prohibit black golfers from playing golf at the highest level and what can be done to ensure these oppressions are dismantled. The exorbitant cost of playing competitive golf, including the cost of quality equipment and accessing top-notch golf courses and facilities in which to hone their games likely prevent many aspiring black golfers from achieving the level of success that the above mentioned black golfers have been fortunate to achieve (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). Further research is needed to strategize how best to alleviate the financial barriers that prevent many aspiring black golfers from playing the game at the highest competitive level and accessing the scholarships and collegiate playing opportunities that many are denied in large part due to their race (Rosselli & Singer, 2017).…”

“…The exorbitant cost of playing competitive golf, including the cost of quality equipment and accessing top-notch golf courses and facilities in which to hone their games likely prevent many aspiring black golfers from achieving the level of success that the above mentioned black golfers have been fortunate to achieve (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). Further research is needed to strategize how best to alleviate the financial barriers that prevent many aspiring black golfers from playing the game at the highest competitive level and accessing the scholarships and collegiate playing opportunities that many are denied in large part due to their race (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). Unlike the other mainstream sports of baseball, basketball, and football, golf is primarily without black role models nowadays, especially given the absence of Woods.…”

“…African-American golfers, in particular, still face many obstacles in gaining notoriety and playing the game at the highest level. Several of them struggle with a lack of finances and resources to compete at the professional level which contributes to mental stress (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). A lack of access to quality training facilities and championship-caliber golf courses in which to hone their games also prevent many aspiring black golfers from transitioning successfully from the amateur to the professional level (Rosselli & Singer, 2017).…”

“…Several of them struggle with a lack of finances and resources to compete at the professional level which contributes to mental stress (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). A lack of access to quality training facilities and championship-caliber golf courses in which to hone their games also prevent many aspiring black golfers from transitioning successfully from the amateur to the professional level (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). Without access to top-notch training facilities and golf courses, black golfers likely have difficulty improving their games to compete against non-racialized golfers who have been fortunate enough to have access to such facilities.…”

“…Black golfers today are also challenged with playing the game at the highest level because many lack the insider knowledge and professional networks that aspiring white golfers possess (Rosselli & Singer, 2017). While an aspiring black and white collegiate golfer may possess similar skills, a white golfer likely has more contacts with sponsors and coaches and access to superior collegiate golf programming than a black golfer possesses.…”