History of Golf

The history of golf is not a clearly defined story and there are several different theories about its origin. Some say it was invented by the Dutch or Scotch. Despite the confusion in history, it is know that the sport has been played in Scotland since the twelfth century. In a Chinese’s book, the Dongxuan, dating from the eleventh century, a game similar to golf was described . However, in the Netherlands in the year 1297 there was also a game played where the rules were very similar to modern golf. These similarities include counting the number of strokes, the distance of the holes, the number of wholes and the point system.

The modern history of golf as we know it today certainly began in Scotland. Scotland was the first country to have a national course devoted strictly to golf. There, golf was played every day and rules for the game were established, including the eighteen hole course. Golf competitions and tournaments also originated in Scotland and later was known all across the world. Golf was soon a popular national sport. Even Mary, Queen of Scotland, played the Musselburgh old links golf course in 1567.

Golf did not always consist of an eighteen hole course, though. At the time of St Andrew in the fifteenth century the game was played with eleven holes. Players played holes out, then turned and played them again backwards for a total of twenty-two. St Andrew’s is the capital of golf. Eventually, in order to save time and allow more players to enjoy the game, the eleven hole double play was eliminated and the number of holes was expanded to eighteen. Modern golf was then born.