How and when did golf start?
The history tells as it was in Scotland that golf got serious. The first written mention of the game, in 1457, was in St. Andrews, and the first proper golf courses, golf clubs and rules of the game were all developed in Scotland.
The origin of Golf is a mystery however there is a few theories out there. One theory says that fisherman on their way back from their boats would pick up a piece of driftwood and whack a pebble to see how far it would go. They would do this repeatedly until they reached the river.
In 1457, Golf, along with football, is banned by the Scots Parliament of James II because it has interfered with military training for the wars against the English. In 1470 the ban of golf is reaffirmed in the Parliaments of James III, and again in 1491 by King James IV. After 43 years and with the signing of the Treaty of Glasgow between England and Scotland, the ban on golf is finally lifted. In 1502 James IV makes the first recorded purchase of golf equipment, a set of clubs from a bow-maker in Perth, Scotland.
As the British Empire spread throughout the world, so golf spread. Royal Calcutta in India, the oldest golf club outside the British Isles, has a history that dates back to 1829, when a bunch of button-down Brits in peculiar hats tried to recreate the distant fairways of home on a site where the airport now stands. Today, golf has permeated all corners of the globe.
Early golfers played at the game for many years without any thought of forming a society or club until finally a group of Edinburgh golfers in 1744 formed a club called the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. At this time, the first rules of golf, 13 in all, were drawn up for an annual competition between sportsmen from any part of Great Britain and Ireland. A few years later the Society of St. Andrews Golfers was formed and in 1834, when King William IV became the Society's patron, the title was changed to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
The first Open Championship was held in 1860, with eight leading professionals contending for the first prize of a red Morroco leather belt with silver clasps. Willie Park lead the game and took the Belt. Young Tom Morris dominated the Open for years to come, and made history with the Iron clubs that were previously only used for bad lies. Young Tom Morris brought these clubs into the mainstream with the help of club maker Stewart in St Andrews.
A history of the game of golf can give a golfer a sense of the enormous depth and tradition of their sport or recreation of choice. What is more wonderfull than a vacation on a golf area a sunny day with the breeze in your hair? I dont know, maybe they have golf in heaven?
About the Author
The author J. L. Jacobsen is a freelance writher, and writhe articles of difference stuff. Golf is one of the favourites. http://www.online-golf.biz
