History of Golf- How it all Started

Since before the time Mary Queen of Scots wasidea of the evolution of Golf into the game we know
disciplined for playing golf two Sundays after thetoday.16th century - Gold became established on the
murder of her husband Lord Dernley in 1567. Golf iseast coast of Scotland and began to spread. Golf
known to have been played at St. Andrews beforewas played by James the VI before he acceded the
the founding of the university in 1411. It is a safe bet tothrone as James the 1st did in 1603.1501 - James the IV
say that golf was played in some form or another ashad his treasurer pay 14 Shillings to a bow-maker in
much as a century before this.Golf is the only gamePerth to supply them with clubs. Golf became
whose objective it is to hit a ball across a course ofassociated with royalty, The Church, and education (i.e.
some kind that had sand traps, bunkers, and otherSt. Andrews)17th century Golf was pursued from the
obstacles to prevent you from accomplishing this. Thesouth east to as far north as the Orkney Islands.1754 -
ball is balanced in mid-air and hit to another spot belowThe beginning of construction of new courses.1880 -
the ground.It was the Scots who introduced the golfThe arrival of the gutter perch ball was a major
hole into the game. It was a national pastime moreinfluence on the popularity of golf. Little has changed in
than four hundred years before Prince Charles fledthe past 250 years.1925 - In Texas the Bark Hollow
Culloden in defeat at the hands of the English in 1513 atGolf Club becomes the first club with a complete
the Battle of Flodden Field.At Flodden the Scots werefairway irrigation system. The British Open is played
no match for the English in the first assault and werefor the last time at Prestwick Golf Club. The Royal
defeated 50 years earlier. King James II banned theCanadian Golf Association makes a ruling that the use
game of Golf because he believed it was interferingof steel-shafted clubs is legal. They joined the United
with archery practice and he did this with a ScottishStates Golf Association.1973 - Johnny Mailer shoots 63
Act of Parliament. The first documented record makesat Oakmont Country Club to win the U.S. Open. Arnold
references to modern golf. James III also banned thePalmer wins the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, his fifth
game in 1471.The origin of Golf is a mystery howeverwin in the event and his 62nd win in the PGA
there is a few theories out there.Tour.1985 - Europeans win the Ryder's Cup for the
The first theory says that fisherman on their wayfirst time in twenty-eight years.1995 - Ben Crenshaw
back from their boats would pick up a piece ofwon his second Master's. Tiger Woods wins second
driftwood and whack a pebble to see how far it wouldstraight U.S. Amateur. The Golf Channel makes its
go. They would do this repeatedly until they reacheddebut in television.1997 - Tiger Woods in his first year
the river.Championship had a 12 stroke win at the Masters.
Golf is thought to have been played in Kirk SessionJack Nicklaus tees off at the US Open for his 150th
(Church Court). The only evidence of it is found in theconsecutive major championship appearance.1999 -
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.Aree Wongluekert (now known as Aree Song) wins
Golf is still a very popular game today. A time line isthe Girls Junior Amateur. At 13 she is the youngest
presented below that will provide you with a generalwinner of the USGA Championship.