International Golf Federation


The International Golf Federation was founded in 1958 and is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for golf. The IGF has two membership categories representing the administration of golf internationally:
The Federation changed its name from the "World Amateur Golf Council" in 2003. It was founded in 1958 for the purpose of arranging international amateur competitions and it organises two World Amateur Team Championships, the Eisenhower Trophy for men and the Espirito Santo Trophy for women.

Secretariat

The headquarters of the IGF is located by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Jurisdiction

Unlike most internationally recognised sports federations, the IGF is not responsible for developing, maintaining or administering the rules of golf. The rules are developed and administered for the North American countries of the United States and Mexico by the United States Golf Association, and for the balance of the world by the 'R&A', formerly a function of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Events

Olympic Games

Golf was an inaugural Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the United States and Canada were the only competing countries. The globalisation of the sport has meant that following a couple of failed attempts the sport was included in the 2016 Summer Olympics and will be included at the 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee's executive board passing the inclusion by 63 votes to 27. IGF executive director Antony Scanlon told Olympic news outlet that top players such as Tiger Woods and Annika Sörenstam would show their commitment to golf's Olympic involvement by their participation in the Olympic events.

Eisenhower Trophy

The Eisenhower Trophy is a biennial world team championship for amateur men golfers. First held in 1958, the event is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower who was the President of the United States at the time.

Espirito Santo Trophy

The Espirito Santo Trophy is a biennial world team championship for amateur women golfers. It was first held in 1964, organised by Mrs. Henri Prunaret and Lally Segard, and named after Ricardo and Silvia Espirito Santo, friends of Segard who donated the trophy.

Category

National Federations

IGF comprises 132 federations from 126 countries

Continental / Regional Federations

The following seven regional association are formed with the IGF National Membership.