A Brief History of Golf

Scotland is the undisputed birth place of modern golf, but the sport drew its roots from ancient Rome and possibly the Netherlands and Belgium. Roman scribes describe the sport Pangea as men with sticks hitting around a feather ball. In the Netherlands and Belgium a sport known as kolf is mentioned with a similar description. In Scotland, the sport received the name as Gowf. The activity began in the 15th century as a competition played from village to village. A pebble hit with a stick from one place to the other in the fewest number of strokes would decide the winner.

Golf increased in popularity over the 15th century, so popular that the church banned the playing of it on Sunday, and King James II banned it completely in 1457. Scotland was preparing for war with Britain and golf took time away from military training, mainly archery. Residents of Scotland largely ignored the rule until 1502, when the ban lifted under the command of King James IV. He took up the sport as well as Mary Queen of Scots who originally hailed from France.

Mary Queen of Scots brought golf to France during her studies in the country. She even invented the word caddie. Caddie drew its meaning from the word cadet. Mary would have cadets in the French military carry her golf clubs and equipment around the course while she golfed. She eventually ended up giving them the nickname "caddie."

The late 1600's and early 1700's ushered in great advancements in golf. Scotland and England began creating actual golf courses. The most famous and popular course resided at Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1682, the course hosted the first international tournament. The Duke of York and George Patterson of Scotland played and beat two English noblemen. Golf continued to gain momentum and by 1744, the first Golf Club emerged.

The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith formed with the intention to promote annual competitions in Scotland. In order to have competitions the club enlisted Duncan Forbes to create and write the first rules of the game. Eventually the club moved to Masselbugh, Leith and opened a club house. The group also changed its name to the Honorable company of Edingburgh Golfers.

Another famous club formed in St. Andrews. The St. Andrews Society of Golfers used Leith's recorded rules and in 1759 introduced stroke play. Later, in 1764, the club created an 18-hole course. The first woman's golf club also formed at St. Andrews. In 1834, King William deemed the club Royal & Ancient, creating the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews or what is known as the R&A. The club drew on its royal blessing and became the standard maker of all golf in Europe. The course is now the oldest golf course in the world.

At this point in history, golf moved away from the pebble and the stick. Golf clubs became made of birch or fruit tree wood with some heads made of iron. The ball consisted of feathers stuffed into a sphere of horse hide. James Patterson later invented the gutta percha or "gutty" ball in 1840, to replace the feather ball. Because of the expensive equipment, golf remained and activity of the affluent until the 19th century.

Soon cheaper equipment and railroads as well as British expansion launched golf into the international arena. The first golf course opened outside of London and Scotland rose in Bangalore, India in 1820. North America followed suit and formed its first golf in Canada. The club became know as Canada's Royal Montreal Club. In 1888, The United States opened its first course in Yonkers, N.Y., and the first 18-hole course formed in Chicago in 1893.

1851 saw the roots of the British Open. Prestwick Golf Club sponsored the first national championship which eventually transformed into the now famous British Open. The tournament did not offer big prizes, so golfers made their living by taking the job of caddie and making golf equipment. Not until 1892, in Cambridge, England, did a tournament use entrance fees as a prize. The concept was a success and drew a lot of attention from the U.S. In order to establish the same kind of competition in the United States, American golfers formed the United States Golf Association in 1894.

The 20th century saw massive improvements to the game of golf. The Haskell rubber ball replaced the gutty ball. Taylor then built upon the Haskell ball and created the first rubber dimple ball. Golf clubs and drivers also improved with the introduction of iron shafts that soon replaced wooden shafts. With the new technological advances, golf could be played more accurately and with longer drives.

The improvements made the game even more popular and in 1916, the U.S. formed the Professional Golfers Association (PGA). Tournaments soon followed around the world and in 1927, England introduced the European Ryder Cup. In 1933 the United States introduced the U.S. Masters tournament. The ladies soon found their place in golf and formed the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1951, which replaced the Women's Professional Golf Association. That same year the USGA and the R&A agreed to govern jointly over the rules of golf throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Under the guidance of the R&A and the USGA, golf has become a widely popular sport hosting many competitive tournaments throughout the U.S. and Europe. Golf drew much attention during the early 15th century, and continued to gain popularity throughout history. The modern sport of golf has evolved greatly from its roots of pebbles and sticks, but the concept is still the same. A person still hits an object from one place to the other hoping to make it to the designated landing place in the fewest number of strokes.