The History Of Golf
August 14, 2011Ancient Celtic legends state that Golf, of course, originated in Scotland!!!
End of story!!!
Ahem! Please forgive my patriotism but as any golf player worth his salt knows…this is a hot debate.
Ongoing and definitely NOT closed!
So where the hell did this enjoyably frustrating game actually originate…well…I am here to let you know that I finally have the answer.
But first I would like to list the existing theories:
1. The Chinese
Ancient Chinese records claim that the game started there and as we know today most everything else comes out of China…so why not golf. Apparently, it originated under the name “Chuiwan” (A word I often use when I fluff a chip or miss a putt) during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 A.D.). It has been depicted in old drawings and and unbelievably they also used a full set of clubs.
They had a driver called a Cuanbang, a two wood called a Pubang and a three wood called a Shaobang. I notice they all have a “bang” in them. The clubs were decorated with precious stones and metals suggesting this was not a peasants game. The Chinese reckon that some Mongolians exported the idea to Scotland via Europe during the Middle Ages during their travels…who knows?
2. The Dutch
A game similar to Golf was played in Holland in the city of Loenen aan de Vecht on 26 February 1297.
But it doesn’t sound as advanced as the Chinese form as they only used a leather ball and a stick.
As with the modern game the player with the least shots was the winner. The only difference is that the target was several hundred yards away and it wasn’t a hole. Although a later form of Golf with real clubs and a hole has also been reported in the Netherlands in the 17th Century.
3. The Continental Europeans
Other reports claim that a Golf-like game which predates the Dutch variety also existed and enjoyed immense popularity.
4. The Scottish
The most infamous legend of all is the Scottish variety…but they have PROOF! LOL
But they are certainly responsible for the invention of the modern game of golf as we know it today.
The word “Golf” seems to have progressed over the ages and through many lands.
The word golf, or in Scots gouf, is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch “colf” or “colve” meaning “stick, “club”, “bat”, itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning “bell clapper”, and the German Kolben meaning “mace or club”.
Golf was first mentioned in the 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament where it was prohibited by James II of Scotland who believed the game distracted focus from more military sports like Archery which were necessary for military soldiers. Later bans described Golf as an unprofitable sport! It was also considered unladylike by the accusers who said Mary, Queen of Scots had played the game after the murder of her second husband.
James VI of Scotland also banned Golf but subsequently received a number of sets of clubs (and balls) as gifts when he later visited Perth, St.Andrews and Edinburgh. The oldest playing full course is “The Old Links”, Musselburgh where Mary, Queen of Scots was reported to have played in 1567.
5. The Stone Age Men (My Theory)
I envision two stone age blokes (called Ug and Mo for arguments sake) picking up the bone from a pterodactyl wing and a small rock and looking at a far away cave. Ug thinks “Me can make ball go in cave” which he promptly says to Mo in whatever grunt like gibberish the spoke back then. Of course Mo says “Me no think you can make ball go in cave”
The cave was probably a 20 yard par 3…just to clarify!
Ug proceeds to belt the living daylights out of the stone and manages a triple bogey. Naturally, Mo believes he can outdo his pelt wearing buddy. This was the start of tournaments and before you know it they started meeting the other clan members for their regular Saturday four-ball.
Wouldn’t life be so boring without a little fantasy….
Wherever the game of Golf originated it is sure to remain popular and the debates over it’s history will be no more than petty trivia to be discussed over a whiskey on the 19th hole.
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