History of Golf
Golf originates from a game played on the coast of Scotland during the 15th century. At that time players would hit a pebble instead of a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club. You may also be interested in the history of the golf ball and golf clubs.
playing golf at St AndrewsHere are some key moments in the history of the game of golf.
1618 — The feather golf ball or 'Featherie' was introduced.
1848 — The gutta-percha golf ball was invented.
1880s — Golf bags first came into use.
1898 — Coburn Haskell introduced the one-piece rubber cored ball.
1905 — The first time a dimple pattern was applied to a golf ball.
1908 — club head made with grooves for more backspin.
about 1925 — Steel golf club shafts were introduced in the US.
1939 — the maximum of 14 clubs in a bag rule was introduced.
1951 — the center shafted putter, was legalized.
about 1962 — The first powered golf car appeared, invented by Merlin L. Halvorson.
1963 — The casting method of manufacturing clubs heads was introduced.
1972 — Spalding introduced the first two piece ball, the Executive.
1973 — the graphite shaft was introduced.
1991 — Big Bertha oversized wood which was introduced.
Related Pages
- History of the golf ball
- History of golf clubs
- Crossage — an ancient golf-like game
- Kolven — a medieval game that may be a precursor to golf.
- More on the history of sport
- About sport in Scotland
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