Ancient China
Ancient Chinese secret? According to Martin Hahn, Ph.D., golf may have originated as far back as A.D. 943 in China during the Song dynasty. He reports that the game made its way to Europe with the help of the Mongolians in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Ancient Scotland
Agriculture plays a part in the design of golf courses. In ancient Scotland, sheep grazed on the grass, which lent to the shape of greens and fairways.
The Middle Ages
- Archery was once the most popular sport in Scotland, until golf eclipsed it in the 1400s.
- Modern golf as we know it is widely thought to have originated in the 15th century.
- For the birds: Golf balls were once constructed from thin leather stuffed with feathers.
The 1800s
- Jeev Milkha Singh’s golf swing is the product of British colonization: The first golf club reportedly seen outside of Great Britain was in Royal Calcutta, India in 1829.
- The first ladies golfing society was known as the “Fish Wives of Musselburgh”.
The 20th Century
Drink his success: Golfer Arnold Palmer, widely regarded as one of the best in sports history, also has an equally popular drink named after him: the Arnold Palmer. It’s reported that the name stuck after a patron overheard Palmer ordering lemonade mixed with iced tea back in 1960 and requested “that Palmer drink” from her server.
You can do it! The U.S. Open is open to any amateur or professional player with a USGA Handicap Index under 1.4.
‘Cause all I do is win, win, win: No single golfer has won all four majors in one year, but five have done so as a career best: Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods. The only player to come close was Bobby Jones who won a Grand Slam in 1930, prior to the inception of the Masters.
Present Day
- Like a warm knife through butter. You’re more likely to play your best game of golf during the summer in the Coachella Valley. It’s been said that golf balls travel significantly farther on hot days.
- In 2012, an Arlington, Texas resident named Michael Furrh set the world record for the longest usable golf club. He used it to drive the ball 146 yards. The club measured 14 feet, 2.5 inches.
