| One of the most elegant and prolific games of | | | | There are some reports which record evidences |
| this century, golf has a fascinating trail of | | | | of golf from continental Europe. Different |
| history running behind. The word ''golf'' | | | | forms of sports similar to golf were played |
| is actually a modification of the Dutch word | | | | in 14th century in the countries of France, |
| "kolf" which simply means a "bat," "stick,'' | | | | Belgium, and Holland, apart from Scotland. |
| or "club". If defined literally, the game is | | | | However, the game was introduced in England |
| all about striking a ball with a club from | | | | by a keen Scottish Baron, James VI, after |
| the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke | | | | succeeding on the English throne in 1603. |
| or successive strokes while complying with | | | | |
| the rules of the game. It is one of those | | | | In the early years of golf, the players never |
| rare games which do not require playing area; | | | | thought of forming a club or society until in |
| rather golf is played on golf "courses." | | | | 1744 a group of Edinburgh golfers united into |
| The competitions of golf are based on | | | | a club named Honourable Company of Edinburgh |
| stroke play, where the individual or team | | | | Golfers. It was here that the first 13 rules |
| posts with lowest score on the most | | | | of golf were drawn up for an annual contest. |
| individual for a full round, wins the game. | | | | In 1766, Royal Blackheath Golf Club was |
| Some other team games of golf such as | | | | formed in England - the first golf club |
| fourball have been pioneered, and are played | | | | formed outside Scotland. |
| either using matchplay format or stroke. | | | | |
| Several alternative styles of golf playing | | | | Although traces of golf can be encountered in |
| have been introduced like disc golf and | | | | 18th century United States, however the game |
| miniature golf. However, it is still | | | | was still waiting to be popularized. The |
| interesting to find out the History of golf. | | | | history of golf in North America began with |
| | | | its roots in Canada. In 1873, The Royal |
| Most scholars agree with the "fact" that the | | | | Montreal Club was formed, which was followed |
| Scots were first to popularize the game of | | | | by the Quebec Golf Club in 1875 and the golf |
| golf. However, there exists no common | | | | club in Toronto a year later. It was in 1888 |
| consensus in the history of golf about the | | | | that golf re-emerged in the United States. |
| inventors of the classy sport. The records | | | | For the first time the "three-hole golf |
| suggest a golf-like game was played in a city | | | | course" was built in Yonkers, New York by a |
| called Loenen aan de Vecht, Netherlands, on | | | | Scotsman, John Reid on a 30-acre site. From a |
| 26 February 1297. The Dutchmen played this | | | | modest beginning, golf emerged as the new |
| game with leather ball and a stick. Actually, | | | | national pastime in the United States. |
| the game required the players to hit the ball | | | | |
| into a target situated several hundreds of | | | | In the recent times golf has become a |
| meters away. | | | | complete spectators' game, involving |
| | | | professionals at different levels and amateur |
| The emphasis on golf's Scottish origin is | | | | tours across various terrains of the world. |
| contributed to the fact that the game was | | | | Not only the game, but the golf players |
| mentioned in two 15th-century Acts of the | | | | -Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Jack |
| Scottish Parliament. Further, there are | | | | Nicklaus to name a few, have gained worldwide |
| evidences that in A.D 1456, the first game of | | | | recognition as great sports personalities. |
| golf was played at Bruntsfield Links, in | | | | Engrossingly huge sponsorships and new |
| Edinburgh, Scotland, as recorded in the | | | | technologies being developed to assist |
| archives of The Royal Burgess Golfing | | | | golfers and dedication and raw talent from |
| Society. | | | | the emerging players all suggest a luminous |
| | | | new chapter in the "history of golf". |