Golf Development in Ukraine: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

Topicality.The inclusion of golf in the Olympic sports, the process of its globalization, commercialization and professionalization determines the prospects for the development of this sport within the framework of national and international scale. Despite the interest of the population in the golf in Ukraine, the positive development of golf in recent years, there are a problems. The purpose of the research is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the development of golf in the world and Ukraine, to identify the main problems and determine the prospects for its modern development. Methods – analysis of data of special scientific literature, official legal documents, surveys, data analysis of the Internet, SWOT-analysis, comparison, generalization. Results. The article defines the modern trends of world golf, among which there is a significant increase in the popularity and geography of the distribution of golf; maintaining of the leadership of USA in golf development; the concentration in system of the golf in Europe up to 92 % of all professional players and 90 % of golf courses; the introduction by 2020of a unified world system of handicaps; unification of standards for the preparation and certification of coaches, judges, greenkeepers; the progress of the golf business-industry and, etc. The modern causes affecting the further development of golf in Ukraine are investigated: the imperfection of the legislative provision of sports development and the promotion of the activities of subjects of the national golf system; low level of motivation of different groups of population for golf to practice in the country; lack of golf courses at children's and youth sports schools; the backlog of the material and technical base of golf development from the level of most countries of the world; mismatch with the modern requirements of scientific and methodological support for the development of golf and staffing, and others. Are developed the strategic directions, goals and objectives for the development of golf in Ukraine for the period up 2030. Conclusions. The strategy of golf development in Ukraine will allow dignified representation of the state in the world sports community, popularize golf as a kind of active rest in the system of a healthy lifestyle of citizens and promote the consolidation of the nation.