The word figurine is defined as a small carved or molded figure; a statuette (a small statue). It comes originally from the Latin word figura, and latterly from both Italian and French, according to Merriam-Webster, the online dictionary.
Male Golf Figurines are manufactured for collectors and casual buyers alike. They are small figures of male golf players or characters. As figures of boys and men they are mostly recognizable likenesses (representational), but they can also be in abstract. They are a type of Golf Figure which is a category that also includes statues, sculptures, and models.
It is to be expected that Male Figurines are popular, as men are the most numerous players of the game. Also, the World's most popular golfer, Tiger Woods, has a range of figurines which are the best sellers in the Golf Figurine market. There are famous Tiger Woods' poses captured in figurines such as the 'Fist Pump' and the 'Finger Pointing' figurines, both of which are highly collectible and range in price from ten dollars up to hundreds of dollars.
Now is also a good time for collectors to buy Tiger Woods' Figurines because of the recent negative news reports about Tiger Woods. Secondhand Tiger Woods' Figurines are depressed in price.
A range of materials is used in the manufacturing of Male Golf Figurines. They include resins which differ in quality, porcelain which is usually painted, and plastic which is usually made in a mold or plastics' extraction process.
They are created in different golfing positions, both with and without golf clubs in their hands. Figurines with golf clubs tend to be captured at the start or finish of a golf stroke. There is one on the market which is shown through the full range of a golf stoke using a technique that could be called solid state time lapse.
Male Golf Figurines can be very inspirational if the detail in their positions and facial expressions show qualities that resonate. People often keep their figurines on their office desks because they can look at them when they need a reminder of the joy of winning.
Sometimes, a figurine is not actually playing golf. He could be down on one knee evaluating a golf putt, or have a golf bag over his shoulder. He might be walking down a fairway, or doing anything else related to golf.
So the criteria that I use for a Male Golf Figurine is that it must be small in size (under 12 inches), molded or carved, and represent a male in a golf setting or playing golf. These are the considerations when deciding if a Golf Figure is a figurine or a statue.