Golf has been a loved since its creation. What started out as a hobby has become a sport now seen all over the world and advertised on channels like ESPN. Watching as the golf club swings effortlessly at that white little ball has made us fall in love with this game. Where did the game of golf evolve? Well, there are numerous answers to be had for that questions depending on who you ask. During the 15th century in Scotland, the parliament had banned the playing of “gowf”. Some say this is similar to our present day golf game while others say it is not.
Some say during the 17th century that the game of golf was played in the Netherlands but this too is questionable. We know this as a game of 18 holes. However, research has shown that the game originally started out somewhere around 11 holes. It has been sad it was a game of 22 holes because golfers would play up through the 11 whole and then put back.
The Professional Golf Association, which is the worlds oldest association for the game was developed in Britain in 1901. Then in 1911, Australia followed suit with the Professional Golfers’ Association of Australia. As far as the United States goes, we began to see professional golf tours emerge somewhere in the 1920’s. We did not see women playing the game openly until somewhere after World War II. So where exactly golf was created is still a debatable question.
One thing is for sure this game has now captivated the world. Turn on your television set and you are going to see players from France, Africa, China, Australia, the United States and more. We love players like Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson. Go to any city just about worldwide and you will find a golf course or one within driving distance. Designing these courses to make them more challenging has been a hot ticket for quite some time. Now you’ll see flat courses, courses on hills, courses designed around waterways, etc. The better the challenge the course offers the more the players love it. We now live for the PGA Tour and to watch players like Tiger Woods. Fans will travel across countries to see this game played live in front of them.
While men still consume this game and are typically the first thing you think of when it comes to players, women have been emerging over the last 60+ years as something to watch as well. With players like Annika Sorenstam, Natalie Gulbis, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, and Morgan Pressel. Women have becoming to the forefront over the years and have been giving the men a run for their money when it comes to fan base.
No matter what, the world loves the game of golf. Who knew hitting a tiny ball with a stick across a field and into a hole could be that interesting. Yet with millions of fans this game has become as popular as NFL football. One thing is for sure, this was not simply a trend that past with time. It’s a game that is here to stay.