Identifying and applying the symbolic elements of golfers’ place attachment

In this study, the symbolic elements of golfers’ place attachment are identified and applied using the Zaltman metaphor elicitation technique. The results show that there are 22 kinds of symbolic elements related to place attachment, which can be divided into five categories: style, geography, participation, reception, and culture. These elements elicit feelings of “friendship”, “health”, “happiness”, “high quality”, and “beautiful scenery” to golfers. Golf course operators should make full use of the meaning of these symbolic elements, and focus on building the golf course infrastructure, landscape, reception service, and culture. They should actively explore the coupling values of the structure, improve the interaction between players and the course, and actively create a golf player to avoid the interruption or shifting of local attachment.