Origins
One such reference is to a game originally played by the Dutch in 1297 call Apocryphally. Apocryphally was a game where individuals would try to hit a ball with a wooden stick to a target that was several hundred yards away. The winner was whomever hit the target in the fewest amount of swings or strokes.While the true origin of the sport may never be settled, the traditional game as we know it today was first referenced in 15th century when King James II banished it because it distracted from the more prominent sport of archery. The 18-hole course was first seen at St. Andrew’s in Scotland as well and courses today are comprised of either 9 or 18 holes.
Popularity in the United States
While the game originated in the 15th century it did not appear in the United States until around the 17thcentury. While a few courses existed in America the game itself was primarily available only to the wealthiest members of society.Beginning in the 1920s the game gained true prominence and began to expand rapidly and today there are roughly 10,000 United States Golf Association (USGA) golf courses in the country.
Rules
The earliest reference to instructions for the game comes from Thomas Kincaid's diary, an entry from January 20, 1687. However, the oldest surviving rules of golf were written in 1744. Today, the rules of the game are standardized internationally and overseen jointly by the R&A and USGA organizations. A full rewrite and implementation of the rules of the game was completed in 2019.Equipment
The equipment used in golf today have evolved over time as far as materials go, but have existed since the beginning of the game. These include golf clubs, golf balls, and golf headcovers.- Golf Clubs—A golfer’s clubs are comprised of both woods and irons. The woods take their name from the earliest versions of golf clubs, when the head was made of hardwoods. Not only were the heads made from hardwood, but so too were the shafts. In the game today, these clubs are made from stronger materials such as titanium or a combination of metals, with many shafts made of graphite.
- Headcovers—Because golf clubs of the earliest days were made of hard wood, they were particularly susceptible to damage. Cracks, chips, or dents in the wood could negatively impact a golfer's game, so the earliest headcovers were designed to help protect them from damage by other clubs and by general transportation.
- In the game today, professionals and amateurs enjoy purchasing custom golf headcovers to protect their clubs and show off their individual style.
- Golf Balls—The early golf balls were made of leather, and relatively few standards existed for them before the 1930s. At this time, the USGA set standards for the weight and size of the golf ball.
