World of Golf Handicap
History of Golf

	Web World of Golf Handicap

The origin of golf is a great debate between the Scottish and the English. In England, there is a stained glass window in the Gloucester Cathedral of a man resembling a golfer. This is what the English claim to be their undeniable proof that golfing is a sport that they invented. On the other hand, the Scottish believe that the game of golf was their finding because of the rich history of golf they have contributed.

The History of Golf states that in 1457, golf was banned in Scotland because it was said to interfere with archery practice. King James IV was the ruler at that time and was part of the conspiracy to ban the sport in 1491. Just ten short years later, he became a loyal player of the game. In 1651, other heads of Scotland gave their royal consent for the game to be played freely throughout the region.

Slowly but surely, golf became a very popular sport. The History of Golf by the early 1700s, became more organized. Clubs and organizations began to form. The worlds oldest golf club is the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh. It was formed in 1735. Others include the Edinburgh Golfing Society and the Gentlemen Golfers of Edinburgh. These organizations were the first to set rules and regulations for this most prestigious game.

The number of holes on the courses was a largely disputed issue in the beginning. Some clubs played with five holes while others would play as many as twenty-two holes. In 1764, it was agreed that there would be 18 holes.

The History of Golf in the mid 1700s, began to spread to other areas and countries. A club was formed in England in 1766, and in 1856 the first club of France was formed. In 1888, the St. Andrews club in New York helped bring popularity to the game of golf in the United States, and in 1894 the United States Golf Association was formed.

A man by the name of Allan Robertson is known as the first great player of the history of golf. His family had golf in their blood and even had a ball manufacturing business that overlooked the 18th hole on St. Andrews golf course. He died in 1859 at the age of 44, and his death prompted the sport to find the next great; hence, the British Open was begun.

Tournaments like the British Open were soon being held to determine who the greatest player of the game. The History of Golf shows a man named Willie Park won the British Open competition with a score of 174. The tournament was played over 3 days on a 12-hole course. In 1895, the United States held its first Open in Newport, Rhode Island. The winner was Horace Rawlins. Tournaments of all kinds have developed since then and are played all over the world.

Golf equipment has changed a lot over the years in the history of golf. Golf balls were first made of wood and were far from being perfectly round. Later, a ball evolved called the Feathery. This ball was made from leather and had feathers stuffed inside. Both of these balls were handmade and did not have uniform standards. In the mid 1800s, a man named Reverend Robert Preston came up with an idea for a new and more useful ball. He called this ball the Gutty. This ball was made from a mold and therefore made all balls more uniform in size and weight. This creation of this ball soon led to another type of ball called the Haskell, which was made with dimples. The inside of the ball features a rubber core wrapped in elastic and then coated with a plastic dimpled surface.

History of Golf shows the first golf clubs were made of wood. Different types of wood were used for each part of the club. The shaft was glued to the head and supported with twine. Some of the different types of wood used were ash, hazel, apple tree, beech, and pear. Later, as the club evolved, more sturdy woods were used. Hickory became the wood of choice. Iron was used for the head of the club. The wood stood up well to the first golf balls, but as the balls evolved, so did the clubs. Graphite, aluminum, and titanium were used to make more solid clubs and were sold in sets of 14.

Golfers today still play with the standard 14 club set. This set consists of 3 woods, 9 irons, a sand wedge, and a putter. As for the balls, they are now made in a universally uniform size of 1.68 inches round and 1.62 ounces in weight.

History of Golf Sections



• Golf History : The Start of Golf
  Since the beginning of time, man has preoccupied himself with a stick and a rock, making his drudgery into a game, is the History of Golf. In the earliest of times he swung the stick at the rock, propelling it towards some predetermined destination. This, it can be said, was the precursor of golf. Unfortunately, it also is the precursor to just about all the sports that require a ball and some object to propel it.
  
  
• Golf History : Golfs Early Years
  Golf History needed the hole, and it was the final bit that was missing in the stick-and-ball exercise. And the Scots were most likely the first to use a hole in the ground with the stick and ball. Most likely the hole was originally made by a rabbit, many thousands of which roamed the velvety links land on the Scottish coasts.
  
  
• Golf History : 1700-1899
  Golf history, which seemed like such a staple in Britain in the 1600s and early 1700s, slowly faded in the latter 1700s. The Industrial Revolution was about to blossom, towns were expanding, and the old links were quickly being gobbled up for more industrious pursuits.
  
  
• Golf History : The Early Heroes
  When you spoke the word (professional) in the early years of Golf History, the 1800s, you were referring to a professional caddie. The caddies were the only group that made a living from the game. They carried the clubs, certainly, but in 1800 they did so much more. In Robert Brownings book A History of Golf, he describes the early caddie as (his patron guide, philosopher, and his friend, his instructor when he was off his game, and co-arbiter with the opposition caddie in all disputes.)
  
  
• Golf History : America and Golf
  It is not known for certain in Golf History when golf came to America, only that when it got a toehold in the 20th century, America became the world leader in great players. The earliest known reference to golf in America is a Dutch ordinance at Fort Orange, later Albany, N.Y., in 1659. A History of Golf by Robert Browning gives a translation of the edict:
  
  
• Golf History : The 20th Century
  Americans were taking rapidly to the game of golf and golf history as the 20th century began, taught ever so enthusiastically by Scots who crossed the Atlantic for the sole purpose of instructing their Yankee cousins. Many times the knowledge of the Scot regarding golf wasnt particularly savvy, but he did know more than the fellow (or madam) he was teaching.
  
  
• Golf History : Women and Golf
  Women have played a very large part in the golf history, even before the last half of the 20th century when they finally achieved equality with men. Records of ladies playing golf exist all the way back to the time of Mary Queen of Scots.
  
  
• Golf Ball History
  Golfs most collectable artifact is the golf ball. To understand the Golf History of the ball and fascinating development it is beneficial to grasp the rudiments of the game itself. Much speculation has been made concerning its origins. History of Golf shows many countries had their own ball and stick games: the Romans played paganica the English cambuca, French jeu de mail and chole, while the Dutch enjoyed het kloven. Illustrations dating as far back as 1296 show Dutch people playing a game resembling golf. This was, however, played on frozen rivers or in the streets with the target being a post or pillar.
  
  
• Golf Club History
  In the earliest days of golf club history on the eastern coast of Scotland, players used primitive equipment to play the game in a rather haphazard and casual manner. While players initially carved their own clubs and balls from wood, they soon turned to skilled craftsmen to produce competitive equipment.
  
  
• Golf Handicap History : Part I The Beginning
  Is there an avid golfer today who doesnt have a USGA Handicap Index-or a guesstimate of one? Not likely. But how many golfers could guess at where and when the theory and practice of handicapping originated? We will explore the fascinating origins of that oh-so-important number.
  
  
• Golf Handicap History : Part II
  WHERE DID par come from? Golf Handicap History shows that it was probably derived from a stock market term: (A stock may be above or below its proper, normal, or par figure. Its first reference was apparently in the British magazine Golf: in 1870. A writer named A. H. Doleman asked Davie Strath and Jamie Anderson, two professionals, what score would be required to win The Belt at the then-12-hole course at Prestwick, their response was that perfect play should produce a score of 49. Mr. Doleman called this (par) for Prestwick. Young Tom Morris scored two strokes over par for three rounds (36 holes) to win The Belt, and the term stuck.
  
  
• Golf Handicap History : USGA
  Until early in this century of golf handicap history, handicaps in the United States were determined by first-tee negotiation. The pioneer in developing a more objective handicap system in the United States was Leighton Calkins, of Plainfield, New Jersey, a member of the USGA Executive Committee, President of the New Jersey Golf Association, and Secretary of the Metropolitan Golf Association. In 1904, Calkins devised a best-three-scores system which was adopted by the USGA seven years later, in December, 1911. In this procedure, a players handicap was based on the average of his three best scores for the season.
  
  
• Golf Handicap History : The Slope System
  Golf Handicap History shows the first USGA Handicap System was introduced in 1912 so that golfers of varying levels of skill could compete equitably and better enjoy the game of golf. Over the years, the system has been refined but it remains among the USGAs most important functions and accomplishments.
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  
  Email Us Here
  
  Dave and Maggie
  
  
  Return Home From History of Golf
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  World of Golf Handicap Pro Shop Departments
  Woods - Irons - Wedges - Putters - Utility Clubs - Kids Clubs - Used Clubs - Training Aids - Clone Clubs - Cheap Clubs - Balls - Shoes - Bags - Pull Carts - Site Map
  
  World of Golf Handicap - Golf Courses by State
  Indiana - Michigan - New York - Ohio - Pennsylvania
  
  World of Golf Handicap Golf Mfgs
  Adams - Armour - Callaway - Cleveland - Cobra - Hogan - Lopez - MacGregor - Mizuno - Never Compromise - Nike - Odyssey - Orlimar - Ping - Precept - Pure Spin - Ram - SeeMore - Square Two - TaylorMade - Thomas - Titleist - Top Flite - Wilson - Yonex