Over the centuries, various games similar to golf emerged. One such game was chicane, which involved hitting a ball into a church door using as few strokes as possible.
Golf’s modern form first emerged on Scotland’s eastern coast during the 15th century, and was only available to wealthy members of society and royalty.
Origins
Golf’s modern version may have its roots in Scotland. According to experts, its modern form likely originated with King James II in 1457 when an act of parliament prohibited both golf and soccer as entertainment activities that might divert soldiers away from military training.
No matter where the game originated, its rapid spread across Europe cannot be denied. Mary Queen of Scots introduced golf to France when she studied there; some believe the warning “afore” (meaning before) may have come from her royal endorsement.
Golf’s popularity increased exponentially when made accessible to more people during the Industrial Revolution, as a result of which golf became available to mass audiences. By 1914, it had spread beyond Europe – to Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa with courses being established across those regions – eventually reaching around 100 countries worldwide by 1914! Today golf continues its global presence.
Rules
Golf requires many rules for its participants to play fairly and equally, such as where and how far players may hit their balls with their club; there may also be rules about what clothing and equipment is allowed on the course.
Golf can be enjoyed both at home or the office, but many enjoy taking to a course to play more often. Doing so offers several benefits, including getting fresh air and exercise as well as relaxing atmosphere of beautiful landscapes set aside exclusively for this sport.
Golf’s history began in Scotland and spread globally during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century, thanks to railways making travel simpler for people and mass production of clubs allowing more people to enjoy this popular pastime. Golf even spread into British colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Singapore.
Equipment
Golf’s rise was propelled forward during the 1860s due to industrial revolution and railway expansion. People were easily transported between towns for golf games. Also, mass production made golf affordable to everyday people.
Golf’s early equipment was very primitive. Players used sticks or clubs to hit pebbles around sand dunes with. One of the first depictions of this sport can be found in Adelaide of Savoy, Duchess of Burgundy’s book of hours dating from around 1530.
At this time, golf was still known as kolve or kolf and played along Scotland’s coasts by royalty such as King James IV of Scotland (pictured here). But not until 1848 did a new type of ball called gutta percha emerge; made out of rubber-like substance it allowed longer shots than its predecessors.
Courses
At its inception, golf may not have had formalized rules; however, as it grew increasingly popular across Scotland during the 18th century, several golf clubs emerged and more standardized regulations came into play.
Though many early ball and stick games have been suggested as precursors to modern golf, most scholars agree it originated in Scotland. Possible predecessors could include Roman games like Paganica (hitting stuffed leather balls with clubs while walking), or Chinese variations like Chuiwan that was played as early as 1368.
The oldest written account of golf dates back to 1744 when the Company of Gentlemen Golfers published their ‘Articles and Laws in Playing Golf.’ Early pictorial depictions date from 1680 (or 1720) in Scotland by an unknown artist; by 1746-47 there are two depictions by Paul Sandby himself that exist as watercolour paintings.