Early History of Golf

    Some experts look to Scotland, some to Holland, some to France, some to England and still others to Belgium when tracing back along the history of golf (World Book). There are numerous golf-like games that have been played throughout history. The earliest record of a golf-like game was the Roman game of pagenica, which involved hitting a feather-stuffed, leather ball with a bent, wooden stick (Graves, Cullen). It has been hypothesized that the Romans, while occupying England and Scotland from 43 A.D. to 400 A.D., brought the game to Scotland, where it evolved into the modern game of golf (World Book).
    Another explanation of the earliest beginnings of golf focuses on the Dutch sport of kolven, in which the goal was to hit a wooden ball with a wooden club into a stake in the fewest number of strokes (Cullen). There have been written records found as early as 1297 mentioning the game of kolven (Cullen). It is possible that from Holland, the game found its way to Scotland where it evolved into the modern sport of golf.
    Despite the numerous storylines and possible paths that golf could have taken, most experts believe that the modern game of golf evolved in Scotland, regardless of how its predecessor got there (Graves). There in Scotland, the game grew in immense popularity among both the commoners and royalty. In fact, the game was so popular that the Scots were neglecting their archery practice to play golf, which prompted the parliament to ban the game in 1457 (Hutchinson). Also, the church formally denounced the game in 1592 because so many men were playing on Sunday during the Sabbath (Hutchinson).
    Though there is evidence that golf had been played throughout the 17th and 18th centuries on the British Isles, golf didn't become widely played until the later half of the 19th century with the invention of the gutta percha ball and the expansion of railway systems (Graves). The gutta percha ball, or gutty, was more durable, less expensive and played better than its feather-stuffed predecessor, which enable many more people to play (Graves). The spread of railways from London to Scotland enabled Londoners to make trips out to the links in a day or less to see famous professionals play, which boosted golf's popularity (Graves). The English soon adopted the game and took it with them wherever they went. So, as the British Empire spread throughout the world, the game of golf spread with it.

Modern History of Golf

    There is evidence that golf may have been played in the United States as early as the 18th century (World Book). However, the game didn't become widely popular in the US until 1913, when 20-year-old Francis Ouimet, an unknown amateaur, defeated British golfing stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray to win the US Open (Burgess). The publicity of Ouimet's David-versus-Goliath victory spurred thousands of Americans to start playing golf. Because of that event, the sport was suddenly seen as a sport for the everyday American, not just the upper class.
    After 1913, the game of golf grew to become an American sport and was no longer linked to the British Empire but to the American economy and popular culture (Graves). The popularity and prominence of golf then began to follow the ebb and flow of the US economy. The game quickly expanded during the roaring 20s, but fell on hard times during the great depression and then through World War II. In fact, there were more golf courses open in 1929 then in 1953 at the end of the Korean War (Graves). The end of the Korean War, however, marked the beginning of a period of great expansion for golf. Besides a slow period due to a sluggish economy from 1974 to 1982, golf and the building of golf courses has been steadily increasing (Graves).
   
    The history of golf is still unfinished. It is still being written today by the likes of Tiger Woods and other golfing stars. One unique aspect of golf is that the sport's history is just as important as the sport itself to most players. The legendary players and mythical moments are just as integral to the game of golf as the clubs and balls. Knowing the history of golf is an absolute necessary for players. In fact, I'm sure there are golfers who would argue that knowing the history of golf is more important than knowing how to swing a club.