If you are planning a golf holiday you will be looking forward to a relaxing break away and a chance to improve your game - but do you know anything about golf's far-reaching history? If you are a keen golfer and planning a golf break, why not brush up on it's origins to impress your friends as you make you way around the course.
Of course, to play golf you don't need to learn anything about where it came from, but if you take some time to learn a few facts you might find a sense of history creeps in with every swing you take. It does have an interesting past, with various different countries claiming to have brought about the earliest form of the game.
Golf Breaks From The Past To The Present Day
The exact origin of golf isn't clear, and many theories have been bandied about and refuted. The most generally accepted claim is that golf originated in Scotland around the 12th century, with the romantic image of shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes where the world-famous St Andrew's Old Course now sits.
Other historians have claimed golf originates in many other places - Chuiwan, a Chinese game consisting of using a large stick to drive small balls into the ground, was first mentioned in records from the 11th century and a Chinese Professor Ling Hongling claims the game was brought to Europe by the Mongols in the 12th and 13th centuries. Dutch historians also claim a very early version of golf was played there in 1297 - a game played with a stick and a leather ball, with the winner hitting the ball the most times into a target several hundred yard away.
However, the modern game of golf as we understand it today, originated in Scotland - the earliest permanent golf course was here, the first written rules, the beginning of the 18-hole course and the first club memberships. The first organised tournaments were played in Scotland between different cities, with the game then spreading to England and the rest of the world, into what we know today.
As you take to the course on your golf holiday, you might be in the Scottish town of Musselburgh - The Musselburgh Old Links Golf Course is the oldest in the world with documentary evidence showing people played here in 1672, though Mary Queen of Scots reputedly played at the course in 1567.
The Modern Golf Holiday
Perhaps with a renewed sense of the history of golf, you might plan your golfing break with an eye for the golf clubs and hotels with a longer history - they are certainly beautiful places to visit. However, the game has evolved and many new courses are equally beautiful - wherever you decide to go on your golf break, bear in mind you are following in the footsteps of many men, women and royalty from our history books.
About the Author:
Harvey is passionate about getting you the best travel advice possible.
