China's ban on golf is still very much in force following an official announcement that 111 courses are to be closed, despite reports last spring that the government was becoming more relaxed about what Mao Zedong called "a sport for millionaires". The move has been welcomed by many Chinese who have long complained of a lack of opportunities at golf. Building work at 47 clubs will be halted and 18 courses were ordered to return their land. Despite new courses being banned since 2004, their number has tripled in that time, with more than 300 international-standard competitions held annually.
China's ban on golf is still very much in force following an official announcement that 111 courses are to be closed, despite reports last spring that the government was becoming more relaxed about what Mao Zedong called "a sport for millionaires". The closures are intended to "protect land and water resources". Building work at 47 clubs will be halted and 18 courses were ordered to return their land. Despite new courses being banned since 2004, their number has tripled in that time, with more than 300 international-standard competitions held annually.