This list covers 20 sports that start with the letter G, running alphabetically from “Golf” all the way to “Gatka.” You’ll find everything from precision games played on manicured courses to combat disciplines rooted in centuries-old tradition. Some are Olympic mainstays, others are regional pastimes, but all of them test skill, strategy, or physical endurance in their own way.
Sports are structured physical activities with rules, goals, and often a competitive element, whether played solo or in teams. Many carry deep cultural roots, like Gatka, a stick-fighting art tied to Sikh tradition, or Gaelic Football, a national pastime in Ireland for generations. Some are ancient, others were invented recently, but each one reflects the culture that shaped it.
Below you’ll find the table with the sport name and a short description of each one.
Sport: the name of each sport on the list, arranged alphabetically so you can find or compare entries quickly.
Description: a short explanation of how the sport is played, what makes it distinct, and where it’s most popular.
Sports
| Sport |
|---|
| Golf |
| Gymnastics |
| Goalball |
| Gaelic Football |
| Gaelic Handball |
| Gateball |
| Gliding |
| Grasstrack Racing |
| Greco-Roman Wrestling |
| Greyhound Racing |
| Gridiron Football |
| Gymkhana |
| Guts |
| Grappling |
| Go-Kart Racing |
| Gig Rowing |
| Grass Skiing |
| Golf Croquet |
| Gravel Cycling |
| Gatka |
Descriptions
Golf
A precision club-and-ball sport where players try to sink a ball into a series of holes on a course using as few strokes as possible. It’s played on manicured courses worldwide and prized for its mix of skill and strategy.
Gymnastics
A sport combining strength, flexibility, and balance, performed on apparatus like the beam, bars, and vault or through floor routines. Athletes are judged on artistry, difficulty, and execution.
Goalball
A Paralympic team sport for visually impaired athletes who use a ball with bells inside, trying to roll it past opponents into their goal. Players wear blindfolds to ensure fair competition.
Gaelic Football
An Irish team sport blending elements of soccer and rugby, played with a round ball that can be kicked or handled. Points are scored by getting the ball over or under crossbars between goalposts.
Gaelic Handball
A traditional Irish sport where players strike a small ball against a wall using their hands, similar to squash but without racquets. It’s one of the oldest organized ball games in Ireland.
Gateball
A team sport similar to croquet, popular in Japan and across Asia, where players use mallets to hit balls through gates in a set sequence. It’s especially popular among older players for its low-impact pace.
Gliding
An air sport in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft called gliders, using rising air currents to stay aloft for hours. It combines aviation skill with an understanding of weather and thermals.
Grasstrack Racing
A form of motorcycle racing held on oval grass tracks, popular in the UK and parts of Europe. Riders compete on specially built bikes without brakes, relying on skill to control speed and cornering.
Greco-Roman Wrestling
An Olympic wrestling style that forbids holds below the waist, forcing competitors to rely on upper-body strength and throws. It’s one of the oldest combat sports still contested internationally.
Greyhound Racing
A spectator sport where greyhounds chase a mechanical lure around a track, with betting traditionally central to the event. It has a long history, particularly in the UK, Ireland, and Australia.
Gridiron Football
A family of football codes, most notably American and Canadian football, played on a marked field with goalposts at each end. Teams advance the ball through downs to score touchdowns and field goals.
Gymkhana
A competitive event, originally on horseback and later adapted to motorsport, involving timed runs through obstacle courses. Modern gymkhana often features cars or motorcycles navigating cones at speed.
Guts
A flying disc sport played by two teams who throw a disc at each other, aiming to make catches impossible. Points are scored when a throw is uncatchable within a defined playing area.
Grappling
A combat sport focused on clinching, throws, and ground control without striking, forming the basis of disciplines like Brazilian jiu-jitsu and freestyle wrestling. Competitors aim to pin or submit their opponent.
Go-Kart Racing
A motorsport using small, low-to-the-ground vehicles called karts, raced on scaled-down circuits. It’s a popular entry point for aspiring racing drivers and a fun recreational activity alike.
Gig Rowing
A traditional rowing sport using wooden boats called pilot gigs, historically used to ferry pilots to incoming ships. Crews race these six-oared boats in competitive regattas, especially in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Grass Skiing
A sport where competitors ski downhill on grass-covered slopes using skis fitted with small rollers instead of blades. It lets skiers train and compete during warmer months without snow.
Golf Croquet
A variant of croquet where players take turns trying to hit a single ball through a hoop, with the first to succeed winning that point. It’s simpler and faster-paced than traditional croquet.
Gravel Cycling
A cycling discipline raced on unpaved gravel roads rather than tarmac or trails, blending endurance road riding with light off-road terrain. It has grown quickly, gaining its own UCI World Championships.
Gatka
A traditional Sikh martial art from India involving stick-fighting techniques, often performed with wooden sticks representing swords. It combines combat training with cultural and religious performance.