Find Us/Follow Us

What are these?

Golf Articles -> History of Golf -> The History of Golf

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Golf is a game that is steeped with history and tradition, honesty and integrity. Since the beginning of the history of golf, the game seemed to have immediate universal appeal. Beginning on the linksland surrounding St. Andrews, Scotland, golf was played by royalty and commoner alike. The original courses were "designed by God" as golfers played the sandy land exactly the way it was formed through centuries of wind and water erosion. The original golfers played, literally, with a handful of wooden clubs shaped like today's hybrids and named things like spoon, cleek, mashie and niblick.

The spirit of the game seems to have this mystical quality that has sustained it's character since golf's inception. Part of that has to do with the rich history of golf, and the game remains one of the few things that seems to be able to hold on to and stay in touch with it's storied past. In fact, some of the original thirteen rules formed by the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers remains intact today.

Other characteristics of the game seem to tug at parts of the human soul and touch people's nature at their core. Players experience the joys and challenges of standing on a tee box and viewing a patch of green land on the horizon, with the expanse in-between waiting to be traversed. Golf is a game that can be enjoyed in quiet, introspective solitude or in the raucous company of friends. It is extremely simple and yet endlessly complicated. It can be rewarding, maddening and humbling all at the same time.

The history of golf has seen the game grow from a past time for locals on common land to a billion dollar business with over 60 million people playing worldwide and over 31,000 courses all over the world. Not only is golf played worldwide but the game's universal appeal has brought it to the moon, with Alan Shepard Jr. striking two golf balls with a Wilson 6-iron head attached to a lunar scooper during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971.

The sections below will take you through the history of golf starting from the games origins to modern day players, including sections on the evolution of equipment and women's and minorities's battle for equal rights within the game.

The Origins of Golf
This section covers golf's origins from it's beginnings at St. Andrews to the formation of golf clubs, the creation of rules and the very first professionals.

American Golf History
Learn about golf's jump across the pond to America, the formation of the USGA and Francis Ouimet's stunning victory at the 1913 US Open.

PGA Golf History
This section covers the formation of the PGA of America, the start of tour golf, the first "Pro" golfer and the greatest amateur to ever play the game.

International Golf History
As golf became more and more popular and spread throughout the world, it was only a matter of time until competitions between nations occurred. Learn about the President's Cup, the Ryder Cup and other international golf competitions here.

PGA Tour History
This section covers the beginnings of golf on television, an era dominated by "The King" and "The Golden Bear" and the formation of the PGA Tour.

The Modern Golf Era
Here is a quick look at the careers of some of golf's most notable names in the modern era of golf up to the present.

History of Golf Equipment
Learn about the evolution of golf equipment from wooden "spoons" and feather stuffed, leather balls to forged, metal clubs and rubber cored balls.

Women's Golf History & Minorities' Struggle
This section covers the history of women's and minorities' struggle to find their much deserved place in the game of golf.

Name:

	Comment:

Verification:

Your Advertisement Here