History Of Golf - Popularity Across The World

Golf is followed by millions who have never even sunk a putt, but they appreciate and love the game and even feel smug when the weather is not the finest for the golf players to play. But, how did the game begin and how did the simple idea of hitting a small ball into a hole with such a misshaped stick originate? How were the rules of golf and public golf courses born?

History of golf:

The popularity of Golf has grown at the turn of the new millennium. With the victory of Europe in the 2006 Ryder Cup and the mercurial rise of popular players like Phil Mickleson and Tiger Woods, interest in the game has spread but one question that remains unanswered even today is, - how did the game come to be what it is today.

There is no consensus about which country it originated in. Where ever there were sticks and objects that could be lofted high, there was golf in some form. Nearly every area around the world can claim to the origin of golf. Scotland of course has its claim, but so do China, England, France, Holland, Belgium and Laos.

The origin of the name 'golf' is believed to be in the Dutch word of 'colf', which means 'club'. The earliest traces of playing golf trace back to 1340, from a sketch in a stained glass window- the Great East Window – in Gloucester Cathedral.

In the 15th century London, 'Pall Mall' was a game that derived its name from another game which is now believed to be the pre-cursor of golf. This game involved knocking a ball from one pre determined place to another. Many believe that golf has emerged from this game.

1800s- 1900s

The sport of golf, seemed popular in Britain in the 1600s and early 1700s, faded slowly in the latter 1700s. With advent of the Industrial Revolution, the industrious pursuits effaced out the old links. The sport would have died if not for the Freemasons. Royalty played little or none at all during this period. Edinburgh, Scotland claims the first golfing society. The St. Andrews Society of Golfers reached royal status in 1834. King William IV was approached by Belshes to be their patron. The King agreed and permitted the Society to rename itself as "The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews". Since then St Andrews golf course has since become the "Home of Golf".

Since 1900

Americans were taking on the game rapidly as the 20th century began, and were taught enthusiastically by Scots. For a while, the British did all the winning for America. American golf took a quantum leap towards worldwide recognition with the victory of the U.S. Open by 20 year old amateur Francis Ouimet.

Now the stage has been set by Tiger Woods who came to scene in 1996.

With such illustrious history, the game of golf has given great talents. It remains to be seen if the current players and the players of tomorrow will take the game to new heights.