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Posted on August 31, 2008 by David Tymon | Posted under Golf
The History of Golf
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Contrary to a commonly held misconception, golf is not an acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden. The word is believed to originate from the medieval Dutch word "kolf" or "kolve" meaning "club." The word then passed to the Scots, whose old dialect transformed the word into "golve," "gowl" or "gouf" which later became 'golf' The earliest reference to modern day golf was alluded to in 15th century Scottish laws which prohibited a game referred to as 'gowf', although historians have suggested that this refers to a game more similar to the celtic sports of shinty and hurling than the more refined and gentlemanly sport we know today. The first golf club memberships were formed in Scotland, where the earliest permanent 18 hole golf course was established. Golf courses have not always had 18 holes and the first course at St. Andrews in Fife actually had just 11 holes which were played in sequence and then backwards, to complete a 22 hole game. This was later reduced to 9 holes, which when doubled made the 18 hole format we know today. St. Andrews established itself as the home of golf and it was here that the formalised structure and rules of the game were established. Initially, competitions took place between Scottish cities and over time, the game's popularity spread throughout the British Isles and eventually across the world. Today, it is estimated that there are in excess of 32,000 golf courses across the world. Over half of these are accounted for by the United States, with Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada and Sweden also having a high proportion of golf courses per capita. In terms of the equipment used to play the sport, the last 30 years has seen many advances in technology. Golf is traditionally a difficult sport to master and therefore innovations before this point were few and far between. Two of the companies widely credited with making a huge impact on the game are TaylorMade and Callaway Golf. In 1979, TaylorMade produced the metalwood, the first club to be made out of metal instead of the wood traditionally used. This proved to be a huge success and set a new precedent for equipment manufacturers. A few years later, the newly formed Callaway golf company introduced another innovation in the S2H2 (Short Straight Hollow Hosel.) This new club incorporated a heavier weight clubhead which created a lower centre of gravity meaning enhanced range and forgiveness. Manufacturers have strived ever since to produce more effective, accurate and forgiving clubs. Golfonline have some of the best discount golf equipment and accessories from all of the top manufacturers, including Nike, Adidas and Wilson Staff. This online shop is the best place to buy cheap golf clubs, balls, bags, shoes and other accessories. About The Author: Discount Golf Clubs & Accessories www.Golfonline.co.uk, Unit 4 Chantry Place, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 6NY U.K. Tel: 0870 770 5380 0r 0208 421 7980 Outside UK: +44 208 421 7980 |
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