Revolution of Golf

The game of golf has been traced to have been played since 100 BC when the Romans played a game called "paganica", a game where a bent stick was used to hit a stuffed leather ball. Starting in 960 AD, games similar to golf, called chuíw án, are played with several clubs and a ball in China. The origin of the game of golf that we still play today can be traced back to fifteenth century Scotland. The game was played up until 1457, where the Scottish Parliament banned golf because it was getting in the way of archery practice, which was necessary for national defense. In 1500, the ban was lifted and King James IV begins to play himself. The first record of golf in the United States is attributed to William Burnet, the governor of Massachusetts. The rules of golf were not set until 1744, when the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers put together a list of rules. In 1764, the Old Course at St. Andrews is reduced from 22 holes to 18, and this became the format for all golf courses worldwide. In 1894, the United States Golf Association (USGA) is formed in New York. In 1895, the first U.S. Open is played, and in 1900, golf was played for the first time in the Olympics, held in Paris that year. Soon after, in 1901, the first Professional Golf Association (PGA) is formed in the UK. It wasn’t until 1916 that the U.S. PGA was formed. In 1934, the first Masters is played at Augusta National. It is still played each year as part of the four Major PGA championships. In 1950, the LPGA is formed in the U.S. In the 1980s, metal woods made of steel were introduced and used by golfers around the world. In 2010, the 150th Open Championship is played at the Old Course at St. Andrews, and in 2016 golf is played at the Olympics for the first time in 112 years. Lasting more than 600 years, the picture above demonstrates people playing "golfe" at St. Andrews course, in Scotland.