Golf and where it originated

28. March 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.

The game was first recorded way back in the year 1297. Surprisingly this was said to have been in the Netherlands. The game was played with a crude stick plus a leather ball. Whoever could hit the ball the furthest and in the least number of times was considered the winner.

The game of golf is however thought to have started in Scotland. The word golf may have been derived from the Dutch word “kolf” which means stick or club. The very first 18 hole golf course was also in Scotland. Also the original written rules were said to have come from the Scots.

It was not long before the game had spread to England. It is said that the oldest golf course in the world is the Old Links at Musselburgh in East Lothian. It was reputed that Mary Queen of Scots played there in 1567.

However golf courses have not always been made up of 18 holes. Early golfers at St Andrews made a trench through the rough land and played just eleven holes which were laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. On reaching the end they would turn round and play back therefore making a total of 22 holes. Gradually it was decided that some of the holes were too short so they became integrated and finished up as 18 holes as we know it today.

Golf equipment has developed markedly over the years In the 1930’s that the US Golf Association set a standard weight and size for golf balls. It was stated that the velocity of the golf ball should not exceed 250 feet per second and since this time it has continued to be developed and made an impact on the way the game is played.

Another large factor is of course the evolution of the golf club. The early ones were made of wood. Hickory became the standard wood used for shafts and Persimmon was the choice of wood for the club head mainly due to its hardness and strength.As the golf ball was developed and became much more durable it was then that the iron headed clubs were introduced to the game. Steel shafts were first developed in the 1890’s .

In the early 1970’s shaft technology was introduced in the use of graphite shafts with lightweight titanium heads which meant the head could be made much larger.

The equipment has been developed massively with the help of modern day technology and today we have more golf equipment than you would have imagined possible. Our forbears were not lucky enough to have such things as golf trolleys and golf buggies to transport them round the course. One thing that has stood the test of time is the sociable drink at the 19th hole at the end of a round of golf! 

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