As a participator sport, golfing has been gaining in popularity for quite a while now. But the History of Golf actually goes way back, and has evolved into a very technical sport. Golf is thought to have originated in Scotland in about the fifteenth century. Hitting stones with sticks over grass and sand and into rabbit holes is the legend of its Scottish beginning.
Of course there is no unanimity in the acceptance of that story since there were other more or less competitive activities involving sticks and balls going on. But it is likely that Scotland did help popularize this game of counting the number of hits it takes to hit some kind of a ball into a hole. When the Royal Family took up the sport it was given international exposure, and golf gained in popularity in a big way.
By the early 1800’s golf was being enjoyed by both women and men. Golf clubs at this time, were designed in basically the same way as they are now. The rules of golf were very similar to those of the modern game by this time as well. However, with the handmade clubs and balls being on the expensive side, the game of golf was mostly enjoyed only by people having enough money as well as the time.
Mass production of golf clubs made of metal began late in the nineteenth century, bringing equipment prices down and thus putting the sport in reach of more and more of the world’s sporting population. Affordability did wonders for the popularity of the game. Throughout the world golf courses and the fore runners of country clubs were being built. In 1894 the USGA was founded as participation in the sport of golfing soared. Golf was added as an Olympic sport in 1900 and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) was formed fourteen years later.
Over the years, rapid improvement in the technical aspects of golf equipment design and production resulted in lower prices and golfers getting better results when hitting the ball. Money increasingly flowed in to the sport as golf tournaments flourished all over the world, providing a huge audience for marketers to hawk their goods and services. At the same time as television began taking off in the 1950’s, the emergence of superstar golfers drew the interest of millions of viewers. The popularity of top golfers drew ever more followers to televised golf and at the same time encouraged more people to take up the game.
In today’s market, a golf-phenom like Tiger Woods attests to the draw of the game of golf by putting the sport on the radar of virtually everyone who looks at the television or newsstand. Pro golfers demonstrate ever more tremendous skill. Weekend players and amateurs play and practice and embrace the developments in the sport. Even Computer Golf Games are able to entertain and challenge millions of virtual golfers.
Throughout the world, people of all ages are enjoying golf. Golf instruction is readily available at courses, clubs, schools and shops, for anyone who wants to learn the basics or to improve their skills. For many, the availability of golf has become an important consideration in planning vacations and business trips. In summary, the game of golf has become immensely popular, entertaining and challenging millions of people.