Out of all modern day popular sports, golf has, without doubt, the richest history and traditions associated with it.
Whilst the exact origins of golf is a hotly debated topic, it is generally accepted that it developed during the middle ages in Holland.
However, the game only became widely popular in the late 19th century when it grew throughout Britain and then into the United States.
A Brief History of Golf
Origins of Golf
The earliest account of a golf-like game taking place is in the Netherlands on the 26 February 1297. In Loenen aan de Vecht, a game was supposedly played that involved a leather ball being hit by a players stick into a hole several hundred yards away. The winner of course was the player who could do this in the least amount of strokes.
The game during these days must have become somewhat popular for the ‘colf’ or ‘club’ as it was known then, was banned several times over the next two hundred years. Whilst the reason for the bans is unclear, there are several mentions of it being too dangerous to play within city walls.
In 1389, the regent of the county Holland designated a specific field outside the city of Haarlem for the use of ‘colf’. The field was given the name ‘De Baen’ (the course).
In 1597, Willem Barentsz and his crew played ‘colf’ during their visit to Nova Zembla. This visit was recorded by Gerrit de Veer in his diary in which he wrote “The 3rd of April the weather was nice and clear with a north-easterly wind and quiet, then we made a colf [club] to play colf with, and thus make our limbs more loose, for which we sought every means”.
In December of 1650, settlers of Fort Orange near present day Albany, played the first ever round of ‘colf’ in America. According to scholars, the Dutch settlers played the game year-round, even on the ice during winter.
Golf in Scotland
While the origins are foggy and unclear, the modern day game is widely accepted to have originated in Scotland. One spokesperson from the famous course at St. Andrews once said: “Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland”.
The name of golf is generally thought to stem from the earlier Dutch version called ‘colf’ or ‘kolf’, a word for stick, bat or club.
The very first mention of the sport being played in Scotland is in 1457 as part of an Act of Scottish Parliament. King James decreed an edict that prohibited people from playing ‘gowf’ or futball as it distracted the people from their archery practise.
Bans were once again introduced in both 1471 and 1491 with the sport being described as ‘unprofitable’.
In fact, Mary, Queen of Scots accused her enemies of playing golf after her husband, Lord Darnley, was murdered in 1567.
The oldest golf course in the world is believed to be the lies course at Musselburgh. The account book of lawyer Sir John Foulis tells us that he played golf at Musselburgh Links during his visit to the town on the 2nd of March, 1672. It is also rumoured that Mary herself played a round there.
The Rules of Golf
Medical student and keen golfer, Thomas Kincaid, is the first person to have ever taken notes on some of the rules of golf. Whilst not at all comprehensive, Thomas, in his notebook, described his thoughts on the handicap system and how to hit the ball to best advantage.
He wrote “After dinner I went out to the Golve, I found that the only way of playing at the Golve is to stand as you do at fencing with the small sword bending your legs a little and holding the muscles of your legs and back and armes exceeding bent or fixt or stiffe and not at all slackning them in the time you are bringing down the stroak (which you readily doe)”.
The actual oldest surviving records of the rules of golf being written down was in 1744 for the Company of Gentlemen Golfers. The club, which was later renamed to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, had a series of articles published on the subject of laws in golf that have now been preserved at the National Library of Scotland.
These rules became known as the Leith Rules and the club used them to support there claim of being the oldest golf club in the world. Whilst this is a somewhat debated subject, the Company of Gentlemen Golfers was certainly one of the earliest.
Interestingly, the Company of Gentlemen Golfers hosted an annual tournament in 1744 known as the ‘Silver Club’. This title was first won by the surgeon John Rattray who was later imprisoned as a result of joining the Jacobite Rising of 1745. However, Mr Rattray pleaded to his fellow golfer, Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Court of Session, who acquired his release. Mr Rattray went on to win the cup several more times.
The Dissemination of Golf
Whilst the exact spread of golf is unclear, it is know that when James VI of Scotland ascended the throne of England in 1603, his son, Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, played golf at blackheath in London.
Scholars have also found evidence to support the fact that Scottish soldiers during the 18th and early 19th century took the game of golf to the British colonies overseas. Examples include the golf club built on Bunce Island in Sierra Leone by slavers in the late 1770s, and the Royal Calcutta Golf Club built in 1829.
The oldest club in continental Europe is believed to be the club at Pau in south western France. Whist these clubs existed, it is generally accepted that golf as we know it today, did not become popular outside of Scotland until the Victorian times.
During the Victorian times Scotland and England became far more well connected which allowed the sport to trickle down through Britain. Albert and Victoria built their majestic home at Balmoral and the railways came to St. Andrews. In 1860, there was a direct line from London to Edinburgh and the positive descriptions of Scotland in Sir Walter Scott’s writings caused a tourist boom for the country.
Whilst all these things had a major effect on how many people came to play golf, the major element to popularise the game was the golf ball. Up until this period, golf balls had been made from natural feather and wrapped in leather, which was expensive. However, the tourist boom in Scotland coincided with the introduction of Gutta Percha – a much cheaper compound that was easily mass-produced.
From this point on golf began to spread through Britain at a fast rate. Wimbledon, Westward Ho and the Scottish London Golf Club all developed within years of each other and places as far abroad as New Zealand and Singapore had golf clubs by the end of the century. By 1890, England had already produced its first Open champion, John Ball.
Golf in America
Like England, America experienced what can only be described as a golfing boom during the late 19th century.
The earliest known record of modern-day golf in America comes from a 1739 record for a shipment of golf equipment to a William Wallace in Charleston, South Carolina. After this, the next mention comes in 1779 in the form of a gazette advert in New York in which golf clubs and balls are featured.
There are several golf courses in America that claim to be the oldest such as the South Carolina Golf Club and the Newport Country Club. In fact, during 1894 there were several competing “National Amateur Championships” which led to delegates from the oldest clubs in America coming together and forming the United States Golf Association (USGA).
During the early part of the 20th century, golf playing increased in America exponentially. In 1910 there were 267 official clubs and by 1932 there were over a 1,000. Walter Hagen, in 1922, became the first American-born golfer to win the British Open Championships. Only World War II and the Great Depression slowed golf’s relentless march. Still, by the 1980s there were over 5,000 golf clubs throughout the U.S and in todays times we have over 15,000.
Worldwide there is said to be over 35,000 golf courses with 45% of these being in America. Whilst America tops these figures, Scotland will always be considered the birth place of modern-day golf and many people still travel great distances to play on the old courses that dot the tiny country.
When was Golf Invented?
Golf, a popular sport enjoyed by millions worldwide, has a rich history that dates back several centuries.
While the precise origins of golf are somewhat debated, it is generally believed that the sport was first played in Scotland during the 15th century. The earliest recorded mention of golf can be traced back to a 1457 Scottish parliamentary act, which banned the game due to its interference with military training.
Over time, golf evolved from a casual pastime to a structured sport with established rules and courses.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, founded in 1754, played a significant role in standardizing the game. Today, golf has spread across the globe and remains a beloved sport celebrated for its strategic gameplay, challenging courses, and enduring traditions.
Who Invented Golf?
The exact inventor of golf is a matter of historical debate, and it is challenging to attribute the invention of golf to a single individual. However, the origins of the sport can be traced back to 15th-century Scotland.
Golf-like games had been played in various forms and in different cultures throughout history, but it was in Scotland where the sport began to take shape and gain popularity.
The early evolution of golf was likely a gradual process influenced by various ball-striking games and pastimes. The Scottish people, in particular, played a significant role in formalizing and organizing the sport.
While we may never know the specific individual who first conceived the idea of hitting a ball into a hole with a stick, it is the collective efforts of the Scottish people and their contributions to the development and popularization of golf that have shaped the sport as we know it today.
Oldest Golf Course in the World
The oldest golf course in the world is widely believed to be the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. The exact year of its establishment is uncertain, but it is believed to have been in use as a golf course as early as the 15th century.
The Old Course has a long and storied history, and it has played a significant role in the development and evolution of the sport. It continues to be one of the most renowned and revered golf courses, attracting golfers from all over the world.
The Old Course is part of the St Andrews Links, a complex of several golf courses in St Andrews, which is often referred to as the “Home of Golf.” Its rich history and iconic features make it a cherished destination for golf enthusiasts and a symbol of the enduring legacy of the game.
This article is part of our Golf for Beginner series.
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