Rugby (1)2 from hedleymfb
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
History of Golf
Golf is an ancient game, which has been popular for many centuries and it is played over by 100 nations worldwide. This game was established in Scotland in the 15th century and it was played in St. Andrews. One of the Scottish kings of the 15th century cancelled this game because the soldiers played golf instead of practising archery which was needed to protect Scotland against the English. In 1502, the ban was lifted when the war between Scotland and England was ended.
In our time, this game is not only popular, but also it is a symbol of high social status. The first time of mentioning the word of golf was in 1457 in Edinbugh; at this time there were different word for golf: goff (known in England), gowf (Known in scotland), kolf (known in Netherlands), golf, goif, gof, gowfe, gouff, and glove.”Some people have a wrong concept which is that the word golf is a shortcut of “Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden”. According to Chris Frantz, the first golfer woman was Queen Mary in 1567 and she played golf in Scotland a few days after murdering her husband Lord Darnley.
Playing golf is much more than just a passion for a new sport; it is a very special introduction to the culture. The first rules of golf were written by the Honourable company of Edinburgh golfers (Docotr John Rattray) in 1774.
Golf equipment has changed a lot over the years. Clubs, balls, tees have all evolved and are still evolving. In addition, balls also have their own history, as well. In 1848 the first golf ball was introduced by Reverend Adam Paterson and it is called “gutta-percha ball”. Gutta-percha ball was made of sap of the Gutta tree. Also, gutta-percha ball reached 225 yards as a maximum distance. The first rubber ball was invented in 1898 by Coburn Haskell: this ball could reach maximum distance of 430 yards. Moreover, the dimple pattern was added by William Taylor in 1905. In 1764, the format of the game was changed by St. Andrew (home of the Royal and Ancient golf club) by reducing the numbers of holes from 22 holes to 18 holes. The first golf bag was used in 1880, at this time the person who carried golf equipment was called “The beast of burden”. In 1962, the first golf car was invented by Merlin L. Halvorson. The golf tee was invented by William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas and it was made from rubber.
In 1900 and 1904, golf was recognized as an Olympic and worldwide sport. Also there were two events; one of them was for gentlemen and the other was for ladies.
Nowadays, golf is the most expensive, prestigious and respectable kind of sport. Golf is not just game to pastime it is a game that you think and analyse while you are playing. Nowadays, it has been the most expensive game, it is a traditional game that the spirit of completion has been for centuries.
References
Origin and Meaning of the Word Golf. (n.d.). Origin and Meaning of the Word Golf.
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