75 Fascinating Golf Facts That You Haven't Read About Before!

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Oct 25, 2023 By Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason
Originally Published on Jan 13, 2022
Modern-day golf is widely popular

Golf is quite a different sport compared to other ball games.

It does not utilize a huge playing area. Instead, it uses a golf course with an arrangement of eighteen holes, but it is not a definite number.

Facts about golf mainly talk about the methods of playing golf, the etymology, the popularity, and the rules. Modern-day golf is widely popular and one of the most elite games played worldwide today.

The tag of being a professional golfer is something people aspire towards, and with a slew of new golf courses coming in, this demand is only going to.

The basic facts about golf majorly are the way it is played; hit a golf ball with a golf club from the golf tees into the first hole. The relative simplicity of the game, coupled with its natural settings, ensures the game's everlasting popularity.

If you like what you read, do check out why do golfers yell fore and why do golf balls have dimples.

Golf Facts For Beginners

First and foremost, it is important to know some basic golf facts to understand better the game invented by James VII of Scotland.

The playing field of golf is called a golf course that does not necessarily have a standard size, unlike other game fields for other forms of sports. The golf courses are constructed with a count of eighteen holes, but some have a count of nine holes too.

The game begins with golfers first hitting the ball from the tee to the hole in one.

The hole must be on a smooth, trimmed layer of grass, termed the green. When the golf ball is on the green, the golfer has to use a putter to roll the ball into the hole: the act of which is called 'putt the ball.'

Even in a golf tournament, it takes several shots to reach the green, and the number of attempts is counted and marked on the scorecard.

The game ends when the number of shots of each player is calculated, and the one with the least number of shots is declared the winner. One of the main rules of golf is to play fairly, and that goes without saying.

It is indeed a game that often has tempted golfers to cheat by kicking the ball over some feet to gain a good shot. But golf facts specify that this game is a play of conscience and courtesy, and it will bear its rewards if played accordingly.

It is important to play with the correct golf ball because it calls for a two-stroke penalty if not played correctly.

Some quiz facts about golf include:

  • The oldest golf course is The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland.
  • The oldest Golf tournament was The Open Championship or The British Open in 1860, held at Prestwick Golf Club.
  • The highest golf course is the Yak course in the Indian territory, but some records also suggest Tactu Golf club in Peru to be the highest golf course.
  • Quite funnily, the word 'golf' derives from the word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' which means a club.
  • Although golf is considered a game of etiquette and elegance, there was a time when it had posed quite a rebellious streak to the world.
  • Golf was banned in Scotland, the game's home country, by the same people who had discovered it because it apparently interjected into military discipline and training.
  • In those days, any average golfer would be seen playing golf on the roads as a mode of entertainment, and it had proved to be quite a nuisance in those times.
  • Later the culture of a golf club and golf course came into being, and it is believed that golf balls are pushed further in summer more than in winter.
  • As we all know, Tiger Woods was a phenomenal professional golfer. He was more so because he had achieved his first hole in one when he was just eight and more than eighty tournaments to date.
  • Another interesting fact of one of the most renowned golfers, Phil Mickelson, is that even though golfers mostly use their right hand to play it, he used his left hand, having been inspired by his father.
  • Golfers like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have raised the stake in the game for the better, especially with the craze for Tiger Woods for bringing attention towards the game.
  • It is also widely propagated that to get a score in a golf course below eighteen, one must be fiercely efficient at it.

What is interesting about golf?

Not until the nineteenth century, golf began to find a popular foot in the world of sports and aristocracy after being written about in the sixteenth century, mainly in Latin and Dutch. Golf was primarily played as an informal and friendly sport on public land during this era.

An interesting thing about the game of golf and why it is extremely popular is that it offers a wide range of possibilities in the whole act of playing itself. There are various types of golf games that can be played solo or with fellow golfers.

Considering the requirement of golf, one can always enjoy the clean outdoor and workout on their own accord.

Everyone can enjoy golf regardless of any physical, ethical, or gender differences. Golf courses, being sociable in nature, golf facts say that the game can help one socialize in the most sophisticated way possible with a beautiful scenic outdoor in front of the golfers as it requires a vast, trimmed golf course.

This gives an option for a golf course to be set up anywhere with a beautiful outdoor setting and is perfect for relaxation.

Golf is never precisely a boring game because it always involves competition. It is owing to the inclusion of golfers of all ages that calls for a friendly competition. Interestingly, golf allows players at the golf clubs to munch on some snacks and enjoy a drink while playing.

For a more convenient way, like that in Southerly golf club, there is a golf cart system that takes a golfer around the golf course.

And one of the most addicting things about golf which might also be quite frustrating if one lacks patience, is that the one good shot. It keeps the players hooked to the game throughout.

Why are there 18 holes in a round of golf?

The 18 holes in a round of golf is mostly a matter of traditional playing.

In 1764, at the golf club of St Andrews, during the golf course planning, four short holes were combined into two holes to produce a sum of eighteen holes which were structured, and the design has been maintained to date.

Where is golf the most popular?

Although golf was invented in Scotland, various other countries have welcomed the sport with open arms. The game has found a foot in many places with outstanding golf courses and golf clubs.

Some countries where it is most popular are:

  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • South Africa
  • India
  • Japan

 

Golf History and Rules

Having dated back to history and been in existence for a long while, golfers must abide by a specific discipline and rule.

Although officially being around in the eighteenth century, modern golf balls were seen when modern golf found its footing in 1457, with the first round of Women's golf being played in 1811. Until 1800, golf balls were made of leather and later shifted to wood.

On a fascinating notice, golf was discovered during the Great Depression but gained a popular footing after Second World War, enough to be recognized.

Kasandra Komma, after hitting the 'hole in one' twice in her life, has gained a ton of recognition in the field of golf, especially Golf for Women in the face of the world.

A 19th hole was supposed to be made to be given another chance not to lose, only to realize that that would have tarnished the structure plan.

Before 2022, when there was no special and cherishable Golf merchandise, golf tress came into being in the later 1920s.

In a rare situation of 12,500: 1, it results in a 'hole in one,' and even more fascinatingly, this is the only game that has been played on the Moon.

It was not until the 1500s that there was any trace of golf for women, and it had seen the light of the world when Mary, the Queen of Scots, had given it a shot.

But after endless fights for recognition since women in aristocracy had no place in business back then, golf being a pastime sport event for relaxation, Women's golf finally got recognition in 1811 in Musselburgh.

Although having a root in Scotland, the Augusta National Club was the most famous golf club, and it featured nineteen holes instead of eighteen for the losing members, but officially, it is shadowed.

What is continually funny even now is that historically the chances of achieving a hole in one is less likely to happen than some road accident, and it has been that for a long time now.

Even though it is a boring game to many, it is also one of the most unpredictable games, and as per the records, only one player could play up to his predictions. In 1957, Dough Ford had predicted the game's outcome, and the result did align in his favor.

Thereby, it was a notably historical moment in the history of golf.

Handicap in golf, which iterates to the numeric potential of the player; it is said that the players with lower handicaps are more skilled and proficient players, and the 2020 World Handicap System standardizes the official aims.

And even with all the historical records, there are no specific documents that deduce the original creator of golf.

Golf has always been the game of contradictions because there is no one opinion about it. One of many popular opinions states that it is a game of etiquette and aristocracy.

It is a frustrating game with no solid relevance to it for some. Some believe it is an opportunity for several other games and a scene of socialization where the desire for that hole in one-shots keeps pulling them to it while some find it boring.

Owing to the bewilderment of the lack of stable recognition in the Sports franchise, it was absent from the Olympics games for an extended period of 112 years.

But when it made a comeback in 2016, it was rejoiced back by the fans and the players together. That is the beauty of golf as a game.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 75 Fascinating Golf Facts That You Haven't Read About Before! then why not take a look at why do boats float, or why do leaves fall?

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Written by Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason

Bachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

Adekunle Olanrewaju Jason picture

Adekunle Olanrewaju JasonBachelor of Science specializing in Mass Communication.

With over 3+ years of professional experience, Olanrewaju is a certified SEO Specialist and Content Writer. He holds a BSc in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. Throughout his dynamic career, Olanrewaju has successfully taken on various roles with startups and established organizations. He has served as a Technical Writer, Blogger, SEO Specialist, Social Media Manager, and Digital Marketing Manager. Known for his hardworking nature and insightful approach, Olanrewaju is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.
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