Since Padraig Harrington won in the British Open in 2007, Irish golfers have won 20% of golf’s Majors. This is quite a haul for a country with a population of 6.6m people and begs the question of how country demographics helps talent develop?
Small is beautiful
Research from Canadian academic Jean Cote and colleagues provides some interesting evidence that where someone is born can influence success. Taking the example of golf, Cote showed that while just over a quarter of boys under 14 in the US live in cities of under 50,000 people, more than 45% of PGA Tour professionals were born in cities with a population under 50,000.
For Irish golfers who have won majors the figure is ever higher with four out of five (80%) being born in cities with less than 50,000 people. Similarly of the ten Irish Majors since 2007, seven have been from players born in cities of less than 50,000 people.
Of course this data doesn’t prove that small cities produce better golfers. But what advantages might these smaller locations provide, not only for golfers but also for other sports examined in the research including baseball, basketball and ice-hockey.
The researchers argue that smaller cities provide more intimate and informal environments to nurture talent. There is more social support, less structured programmes (that are almost inevitably required in big cities), and less conflict with others that can negatively impact on feelings of self-efficacy. Conversely it is easier to find success in small cities which will positively impact on self-efficacy.
The virtuous circle of small cities
By providing a more supportive and less structured environment smaller cities create more satisfying experiences of sport. This encourages young people to play more and therefore develop their skills. In addition, there is a Pygmalion effect were early success increases other people’s expectations and makes young people believe in themselves and practice more (and develop more etc).
Location is not all that matters
Growing up in a small city is not a magic recipe for success. My inability to get my handicap below 12 was not because I grew up in a larger city but rather because I lacked the skill and application. Smaller cities do not make Major champions, but they do seem to provide an environment where talent (or whatever it is that makes champions) does not get lost as quickly as it might in a bigger city.
Irish winners – the details
The five Irish winners of Majors since 2007 include:
Rory McIlroy (4 Majors) born Hollywood pop.12,000
Darren Clarke (1 Major) born Dungannon pop.16,000
Graeme McDowell (1 Major) born Portrush pop.7,400
Shane Lowry (1 Major) born Clara pop.3,000
Padraig Harrington (3 Majors) born Dublin pop.1,350,000
Sport.dat 