The popularity of golf is growing, with 68 million golfers worldwide to date. Since 2020, the number of 9- and 18-hole golfers has increased by 15% in three years. Countries like the USA, Japan, and Canada comprise the largest percentage of players, with the US alone seeing 20 million people participating in the sport.
Participation outside of golf is also rising, with off-course activities such as driving ranges and simulators driving participation. While golf is growing in popularity annually, many do not know its history, including when it was invented and key facts concerning its origins. This article outlines the history of golf in under five minutes of reading time.
When was Golf Invented?
The origins of golf are largely debated, but its history can be traced back to ancient empires, such as the Roman Empire and the Chinese Ming Dynasty. Specifically, the Roman stick-and-ball game of Paganica, which spread throughout Europe, and the Chinese game Chuiwan, played by traders throughout the continent, are likely descendants of golf.
After these old golfing variations spread throughout medieval Europe, the first forms of golf resembling modern-day interpretations were established near Edinburgh, Scotland. Historical records indicate that a stick or club was used to hit pebbles over dunes as a form of golf. It gained noteworthy popularity, so much so that it was banned in 1457 by the Scottish Parliament of King James II.
In 1502, this interpretation of golf gained royal permission and was endorsed by King James IV. The monarch’s predecessors – King Charles I and Mary Queen of Scots- later spread the sport throughout England and Europe.
In the following two hundred years, the first international golf tournament took place in 1682 in Lief, Scotland, with the first club formed in 1744 named the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith – formally instituting the sport we know today. The world’s first 18-hole course was established at St Andrews, Scotland, establishing a new standard for golf twenty years later in 1764; through the next century and beyond, golf went global, with the British Empire disseminating it from India to Hong Kong, giving the sport the international appeal we see today.
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5 Historical Facts About Golf
The history of golf is complicated, with historical scholars often disagreeing on its origin. Still, here are five commonly agreed-upon facts about golf you might not have known about:
- While golf was banned in 1457 by King James II to favor other sports, such as Archery, the Scottish largely ignored the ban
- King James IV of Scotland became the first golfing sovereign in 1502 when his parliament reinstated golf.
- The term ‘caddie’ derives from Mary Queen of Scots’ French assistants, Cadets, who aided her in France while she studied and spread the sport.
- Outside of Britain, the world’s oldest golf club, the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, was established in India in 1829.
- In Europe, the first golf course was constructed in Pau, France, in 1856, and other clubs and golf courses were established throughout the continent in the 19th century.
Who is the Best Golfer of all Time?
While hotly debated, the best golfer of all time can be narrowed down to Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus—both masters of the sport with numerous wins and titles; these players are practically equal in their accomplishments and profound impact on golf. Nicklaus won 18 major championships (currently an unbeaten record), 73 PGA Tour wins, and was the youngest golfer to win a grand slam at 26.
Conversely, Woods holds the record for most PGA wins with 15 majors and 683 weeks at the top of his game as the best golfer in the world. Both players have lengthy accolades and accomplishments, making it difficult to determine the best golfer of all time. Woods is known for his mind-bending shots, while Nicklaus dominated the tour during the 1960s and 1970s, an era noted for its intense competitiveness. This distinction between the two greats is difficult to make.
What is the Farthest Drive in Golf History?
American PGA Tour golfer Max Homa executed the longest official golf drive in history in 2024. Performed at the seventh hole of the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii, Homa drove the ball 477 yards.
While this is officially the farthest drive in golf history on tour, other notable unofficial drives include Tiger Woods at 498 yards, Carl Cooper at 787 yards, and Mike Austin at 515 yards. The former saw the record wiped by the PGA, and the latter two are not officially included because they were conducted prior to the year 2000, before the ShotLink Era.
Nevertheless, Max Homa still holds the record for the longest official golf drive in history, with Davis Love III and Jeff Sluman narrowly behind at 476 and 473 yards on the PGA tour.
What Countries is Golf Most Popular?
The worldwide popularity of the sport has seen most traction and players in the following 3 countries, based on # of golf courses:
- USA
- Japan
- UK
It is particularly notable that Japan ranks #2 despite having much less land to build courses on compared to the UK or Canada.
Golf Has a Rich, Royal History
This article has outlined the history of golf from its ancient conception to its expansion in Scotland, England, and, subsequently, the rest of the world. Tied to the British monarchs of old, modern-day golf is intrinsically linked to the royal heritage of the contemporary Western world.
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