Workplace culture and golf in a generationally diverse workforce

Purpose This paper aims to examine golf as an informal workplace norm that influences professional identity and development across a generationally diverse workforce. It focuses on the question: to what extent does the expectation to participate in golf influence young professionals’ sense of belonging and legitimacy in business environments? The paper examines how expectations surrounding golf participation influence workplace culture and psychological experiences, particularly among early-career and Generation Z employees entering traditional professional contexts. Design/methodology/approach The paper integrates three theoretical lenses, social learning theory, self-determination theory and generational cohort theory, to analyze golf as a cultural signal within organizations. Insights are drawn from research on informal learning, professional socialization, social capital, employee engagement and generational change in the workforce. Conceptual analysis is used to connect these perspectives to practical implications for strategic human resources and leadership. Findings While golf has historically served as a context for relationship building and leadership development, it also introduces psychological pressure and financial barriers that disproportionately affect early-career professionals. When treated as an implicit expectation rather than an optional activity, golf can undermine belonging, legitimacy and confidence, and weaken perceptions of fairness. Organizations that critically examine informal norms and expand access to relationship building opportunities are better positioned to sustain engagement and capability across generations. Originality/value This paper reframes golf as a human resources concern, highlighting its role as an informal development mechanism that simultaneously builds social capital and reinforces generational and cultural tensions. By centering on young professionals’ sense of belonging and legitimacy, golf emerges as a lens for understanding how hidden expectations shape inclusion, identity and opportunity in contemporary workplaces.