History of Golf- How it all Started

Since before the time Mary Queen of Scots was disciplined for playing golf two Sundays after the murder of her husband Lord Dernley in 1567. Golf is known to have been played at St. Andrews before the founding of the university in 1411. It is a safe bet to say that golf was played in some form or another as much as a century before this.

Golf is the only game whose objective it is to hit a ball across a course of some kind that had sand traps, bunkers, and other obstacles to prevent you from accomplishing this. The ball is balanced in mid-air and hit to another spot below the ground.

It was the Scots who introduced the golf hole into the game. It was a national pastime more than four hundred years before Prince Charles fled Culloden in defeat at the hands of the English in 1513 at the Battle of Flodden Field.

At Flodden the Scots were no match for the English in the first assault and were defeated 50 years earlier. King James II banned the game of Golf because he believed it was interfering with archery practice and he did this with a Scottish Act of Parliament. The first documented record makes references to modern golf. James III also banned the game in 1471.

The origin of Golf is a mystery however there is a few theories out there. The first 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. Golf is thought to have been played in Kirk Session (Church Court). The only evidence of it is found in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Golf is still a very popular game today. A time line is presented below that will provide you with a general idea of the evolution of Golf into the game we know today.

16th century - Gold became established on the east coast of Scotland and began to spread. Golf was played by James the VI before he acceded the throne as James the 1st did in 1603.

1501 - James the IV had his treasurer pay 14 Shillings to a bow-maker in Perth to supply them with clubs. Golf became associated with royalty, The Church, and education (i.e. St. Andrews)

17th century Golf was pursued from the south east to as far north as the Orkney Islands.

1754 - The beginning of construction of new courses.

1880 - The arrival of the gutter perch ball was a major influence on the popularity of golf. Little has changed in the past 250 years.

1925 - In Texas the Bark Hollow Golf Club becomes the first club with a complete fairway irrigation system. The British Open is played for the last time at Prestwick Golf Club. The Royal Canadian Golf Association makes a ruling that the use of steel-shafted clubs is legal. They joined the United States Golf Association.

1973 - Johnny Mailer shoots 63 at Oakmont Country Club to win the U.S. Open. Arnold Palmer wins the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, his fifth win in the event and his 62nd win in the PGA Tour.

1985 - Europeans win the Ryder's Cup for the first time in twenty-eight years.

1995 - Ben Crenshaw won his second Master's. Tiger Woods wins second straight U.S. Amateur. The Golf Channel makes its debut in television.

1997 - Tiger Woods in his first year Championship had a 12 stroke win at the Masters. Jack Nicklaus tees off at the US Open for his 150th consecutive major championship appearance.

1999 - Aree Wongluekert (now known as Aree Song) wins the Girls Junior Amateur. At 13 she is the youngest winner of the USGA Championship.

2001 - The term "Tiger Slam" was coined after Tiger Woods wins the Master's making him the first person to hold all four of Golf's major professional titles at the same time. Annika Sorenstam shoots 59 in the LPGA Tour. The attacks of 9/11 caused the Ryder's Cup to be delayed for a year.

2003 - Mike Weir wins the Masters becomes the second left-handed person to win a major championship. Michelle Wie won women's amateur Public Links. She is the youngest winner of an adult USGA Championship. Michelle Wie played in every men's event on the Canadian and the nationwide tour. She didn't make either cut.

2004 Michelle Wie is given an exemption into the PGA Tour Sony Open. She shoots 72-68 missing the cut by one stroke! Arnold Palmer plays The Masters for the fiftieth and very last time.

Golf has given us centuries of physical activity, excitement, and it has been and is exciting to watch a game in progress. Within the last 250 years Golf hasn't changed all that much. For those who play the game, there are all kinds of resources available to improve their game.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Golf Apparel. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

---

Play Exclusive Las Vegas Golf Courses ? The Not-So-Secret Secret

Experience the luxury of tour-class caddies. Play the private golf courses that celebrities and touring pros play. Get tee times on a course that once required a... Read More

Its Not About The Bicep Curl When It Comes To Golf Fitness Training

How many of you have read, "It's Not About The Bike" by Lance Armstrong? What we learned about Lance's life is that his mission is all about... Read More

Ratings and Ranking Golfers

Who's the best?Who's the best golfer in the world? Not such a difficult question. You probably only have to choose between a handful of golfers ? Tiger... Read More

Facts and Fallacies of Strength Training for Golf

Various aspects of golf training have expanded rapidly, but one area of development that has caught on somewhat slowly is golf-specific strength training. Not until very recently... Read More

The Worlds Elite Golf Courses

We all here different opinions of great challenging golf courses around the world, full of history and storytelling of great games and tournaments between the legends of... Read More

Increase Golf Swing Speed Easily

Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur golfers. We've all heard of it and know it relates somehow to longer drives, but how can... Read More

Golf Fitness: The Quickest Way To Play Better Golf

Golf has always been viewed as a game of leisure. But today's golfer is leaner, stronger, and fitter. Until the last few years, golfers didn't know how... Read More

Golf For Beginners ? What Makes A Good Golfer?

A good golfer is a golfer who is happy with their own game and willing to listen to advice from experience. A good temperament is needed to... Read More

5 Golf Facts That Will Change Your Game

Are you seeing the same decrease in your handicap that reflects your hard work and efforts? Do you consistently fall short on your drives or feel exhausted... Read More

Sit Up Straight! It Will Help Your Game

What does it take to reproduce the perfect golf swing? Precise coordination of muscle contraction and relaxation, muscle balance and body awareness are all required to recreate... Read More

Before Purchasing A Gift For A Golfer...Ask Yourself These 3 Questions

It should be rather clear to everybody that the gift a golfer will ordinarily appreciate the most, is the one that improves their game. Most golfers are... Read More

Increase your Flexibility with These 3 Key Golf Stretches

Why is it a golfer rarely asks for a full 20 minute extensive warm up routine prior to golf, but rather those two or three key stretches... Read More

Are You Too Old For Golf Fitness Workouts

Many a senior golfer would not resist the temptation to skip golf fitness workouts, using their age as an excuse. And at first glance age would seem... Read More

Getting To The Core Of Your Golf Swing

At some point, almost all of us struggle with efforts to improve our golf game. Many will try videos, books, hours with a teaching pro, the newest... Read More

How Power Play Golf Fitness Has Changed The Game

The sensational entry into the game by legendary golfer Tiger Woods, at the tender age of 20, introduced power play golf fitness into a game that had... Read More

Golf Swing Exercises Can Add Power Quickly

Golf swing exercises are the missing link to adding tremendous power to your golf swing quickly. To be able to execute an effective golf swing...golf swing exercises... Read More

Tiger Woods, the Greatest Ever? ?NOT!

Tiger is great but still a long way from claiming the title of "Greatest That Ever Played The Game". Although I do believe he is more then... Read More

Women Golfers Set New Standards For The LPGA

It used to be unusual to turn on the television and catch coverage of an LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) tour, but that's not so anymore. Women... Read More

Pull, Push or Carry? I?ll Carry My Golf Clubs Thanks

I love to play golf and I love to walk the golf course. After all, the Pros walk when they play golf and if walking is good... Read More

Gifts: Giving To The Beginner Golfer

It's golf season again! And you might be looking for a gift to give to someone who's just starting off in golf. So, here are some suggestions.... Read More

Golf Strength Training Exercise Is Not Body Building

Despite many reassurances, some amateur golfers still dread golf strength training exercises.The problem would appear to be the presence of equipment like dumb bells in this sort... Read More

Improve Your Golf Performance With These 5 Tips

Improve your golf performance. Is this always on your mind? When you go out to golf you're hoping for a good round. I know I do.How often... Read More

Flexibility Exercises For The Golf Swing Will Make All The Difference

Virtually every golfer knows the importance of flexibility for a good golf swing but not everybody has fully accepted the key role that flexibility exercises can play.Few... Read More

Reluctant to Try Golf Instruction?

Maybe you or a friend had a negative experience with an instructor. It could have been a personality conflict or some other problem. Golf instructors are like... Read More

52 Ways To Stop Your Slice

If there's one thing that haunts most golfers more than missing a 3-foot putt, it has to be slicing the ball off the tee. So this week... Read More

5 Important Things to Consider When Choosing Golf Clubs

Every golfer knows that having proper equipment is essential. Choosing golf clubs has become some what of a daunting task because of the enormous market out there.... Read More