Golfer’s Day 2023: Every year on April 10, Golfer’s Day is celebrated to honour not only the game of golf but also those who enjoy it. The Dutch word ‘kolf,’ which refers to a type of stick or club, or the Scottish word ‘goulf,’ which means to strike or cuff, may be the origin of the word golf. Regardless of the origin of the term, Golfer’s Day is best observed by playing with loved ones and spreading the joy of the game.
HISTORY OF GOLFER’S DAY
Golf evolved from a game played near the royal capital of Edinburgh in Scotland. The earliest form of golf involved hitting pebbles over sand dunes and along paths. King James IV of Scotland was the first monarch to play golf, and the sport’s popularity soared in the 16th century. King Charles I introduced the game to England, and Mary, Queen of Scots, brought it to France when she studied there. In 1682, the first international golf match was held in Leith, near Edinburgh, with the Duke of York and George Patterson representing Scotland and defeating two English nobility.
After the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith established the first club and annual competition in 1744, golf became an official sport. Duncan Forbes drafted rules that are still partially observed. The first 18-hole course was built in St. Andrews in 1764, establishing the standard for the game. In 1834, King William IV bestowed upon the club the title “Royal & Ancient” As the British Empire grew, so did the sport of golf. Bangalore, India established the first golf club outside of Britain in 1870, followed by Royal Montreal, Cape Town in 1885, and St Andrew’s of New York in 1888.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) was founded in 1894, and by 1900, there were more than 1,000 golf clubs in the United States. The United States quickly became the epicentre of professional sports.
Five OUTRAGEOUS FACTS ABOUT GOLF
Golf was once prohibited.
Between 1457 and 1744, golf was prohibited three times in Scotland because it interfered with military training.
The opening women’s golf round
In 1867, the first women’s club was founded in Musselburgh, Scotland, and the first round was played there.
Probability of achieving a hole-in-one
The likelihood of achieving a hole-in-one is so remote that even professional golfers can go their entire careers without achieving one.
The original golf balls
In the early days of golf, balls were created by soaking feathers in water and wrapping them in leather.
Golfers under 18 and the handicap
Although professionals play with handicaps between four and six, the majority of golfers are not as talented and will not play with a handicap lower than 18.
