Golf is an incredibly old sport, and many people refer to it as “the game of kings.” Everyone knows how popular golf has become, but it’s interesting to take a look back at the origins of the sport. Keep reading to examine more about the history of the great game of golf. You might learn several things that you didn’t know before.
Golf Has Been Around Since the Time of Julius Caesar
You might not be aware that golf has been around since the time of Julius Caesar. The origins of golf can be traced back to ancient China as well. The old Roman form of golf involved hitting a ball that was stuffed with feathers with tree branches that were formed into club shapes. These ancient forms of golf weren’t precisely the same as the golf that is played today, but they are considered to be primitive versions of golf.
The actual beginnings of modern golf can be dated back to 1457 in Scotland. It was such an addictive sport that it was banned by King James II of Scotland due to it distracting from military training. Golf would go on to become popular, and it even became a favored pastime in Great Britain during the 17th century. By the year 1860, the very first British Open was played, and the popularity of golf started to increase worldwide.
The popularity of the sport saw it become a big deal in North America. The first governing body of golf, the United States Golf Association, was formed in 1894. The modern Professional Golf Association of America wouldn’t be founded until 1916. In the beginning, both professional golfers and amateurs were allowed to compete in “open” events such as the US Open.
Modern Golf
Modern golf has become something that captivates many sports fans around the world. The sport of golf has always seemed to have a certain magic that captures the human imagination. Golf continues to become bigger as modern stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, and Phil Mickelson popularize the sport even further. The game will surely keep adding to its already storied history.