Ever growing popularity of golf as one of the best recreational games stirred my curiosity to dig the history of golf and its evolution. Golf is played by hitting a ball with varying types of clubs into the holes on the golf course. Disc golf and miniature golf are two alternative ways for playing golf. Scotland bears record to the first game of golf played at Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh in 1456. Here are some glimpses on the history and evolution of golf for you:
There should be no argument that the Scots being the earliest golf addicts. However, who actually invented the game is a debatable issue. The earliest records show that in an Act of Parliament dated on March 6th, 1457 James II had banned golf and football because of their interference with archery practice. Evidently, golf has been in existence for 500 years. Sources suggest that shepherds when bored of tending flocks of sheep at St. Andrews used wooden crooks to hit stones into rabbit holes.
A glimpse into the 14th century sports and games show that sportsmen in France, Belgium, Scotland and Holland used to play several golf-like games. James VI a Scottish Baron introduced the game to England after his ascent to the English throne in 1603. The Old Links at Musselburgh Racecourse is the oldest golf course in the world. There are even records of the proceedings of a golf game at Musselburgh Links in 1672.
In 1297, the Dutch are supposed to use a stick and a leather ball while playing a golf-like game in Loenen aan de Vecht. Some suggest that the hitting of a small ball into a hole with golf clubs was practiced in 17th century Netherlands not Scotland. The word golf has come from the Dutch word “kolf” that means “stick”, “club” or “bat”.
However, Golf became an organized sport when a group of Edinburgh golfers formed the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in 1744. Thirteen golf rules were drawn up for the first time during an annual competition held between sportsmen from Ireland and Great Britain. The Society of St. Andrews formed in 1834 converted to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in honor to King William IV’s patronage for the game. Here is a list of early golf organizations:
- The Royal Blackheath Golf Club of England in 1766
- The Old Manchester Golf Club on the Kersal Moor in 1818
- The Royal Montreal Club in 1873
- The Quebec Golf Club in 1875
- The Toronto Golf Club in 1876
- The St. Andrews Club of Yonkers in 1888
- Shinnecock Hills on Long Island in 1891
In the nineteenth century, golf began soaring high as an innovative pastime in the United States. Towards the end of the century, above 1000 golf clubs sprang into activity in North America. Now, golfers from across the globe have taken golf to the level of a spectator sport. Amateur and professional golf tours are organized in different parts of the world with millions of dollars in sponsorships and prize money.
