Challenges Faced by African American Golfers Pursuing Professional Careers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to give voice to a small group of African American male and female aspiring professional golfers in efforts to illuminate the challenges they face in pursuing professional playing careers in the United States (U.S.). Utilizing a basic interpretive qualitative research design (Merriam 2002), semi-structured interviews with eight African American male and one African American female golfers who were pursuing professional playing careers on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) Tours, respectively, were conducted. Findings from our analysis of their narratives suggest the following major challenges made their pursuit of a professional playing career difficult: (a) these golfers lacked the social networks/connections and financial resources, and (b) they were not taken seriously or viewed by powerful stakeholders in golf as legitimate golfers. Contributions to the literature and practical implications are discussed.