History Of Golf

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The Condensed History Of Golf

Golf's origins are, without doubt, firmly based in Scotland. Scotland's claim of the game originating there is strong as history shows that in 1457 the Scottish parliament banned the game of “gowf” and football so that the clans could practice their archery skills instead. Scotland had a very unstable relationship with England and King James III had grown very concerned that his people would not be ready for war if it were to break out. He felt strongly that good fighting men were spending far too much time playing with their featheries (feather-filled golf balls) around the links at the expense of time spent practicing for their military duties.

It is widely known that since Roman times there have been games which involve the use of a ball and sticks but it was not until St. Andrews Musselburgh Links opened in 1672 that the world would have it's first (known) golf course. It is widely accepted that the name "golf" is derived from the Scots word "gowf" (ie golf in an anglification of gowf). Male golfers often joke that the name is derived from “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden” However, there have been some that suggest that the name was chosen as it was one of the few four-letter words that was unused.

The term gowf is considered an adulteration of the Dutch word kolf, which means stick or club, and the singular of the word Kolven. Kolven is dutch game that is often claimed as the forerunner of golf.. The first female recorded as playing golf was Mary, Queen of Scots who is alleged to have played Scotland around 1567.

Golf's Popularity Grows

Golf has been played at the Old Course St. Andrews for more than 400 years and, for a great many years prior to that on the ancient links (in 1552 a charter was written allowing citizens the right to use the links for golf). The links were the piece of land the "linked" the sea to the inland areas and provided a naturally occuring landscape perfect for the game. Unique to golf courses the Old Course is a work of nature which has changed only slightly over the years in contrast to other courses designed by the likes of Tom Morris and other early golfers. The only thing that may have changed is the odd tree here or there. Initially the Old Course at St. Andrews only had eleven holes and the games was played over two rounds making the total holes played 22.

Over in the United States the history of the game of golf began with a three-hole course in New York. In 1888, in Yonkers, the now historic Apple Tree Gang founded the first American golf club (the name Apple Tree Gang is derived from the numerous apple trees found on the course). The New York course was later expanded to have six holes which is not unique as the history of golf shows a great many six, eight, nine and 12-hole courses. The first 18-hole golf course in America was the Chicago Golf Club near Wheaton, Illinois founded in 1893.

The game of golf grew in popularity and as it did it created the demand for quality equipment increased which, in turn, drove forward the development of new golf equipment. Over many years the game saw the building of many more courses and it is estimated that, worldwide, there are now over 32,000 golf courses with over half of them being in the United States. As the history of golf continues to grow and bring forth new heroes the one constant that has remained is the unique object of hitting a small ball into a hole in a pasture using only a stick, brainpower and skill.

Author Details:
Angus MacLeod, copywriter for various websites including, Golf in Scotland and The A to Z of with his main interests being golf and fishing, especially when in Scotland.

Article Source: Golf Articles

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