Golf

History and Introduction to the Game

At its most basic level, the game of golf is played with a stick called a 'golf club' on a huge, grass covered area commonly known as a 'golf course'. It is essentially a game where a player (the 'golfer') hits a ball into a hole using the golf club. Generally a golf course has nine or eighteen holes. It is one of those few games that do not use a fixed standard playing area. However, that description hardly does justice to the modern game of golf!

The Origin of Golf

Some historians trace the origin of golf way back to first century B.C. when it was played by Romans who called it Paganica.

But most historians believe that golf originated in Scotland. It was played by using a bent stick and a leather ball stuffed with feathers called 'feathery'. Around 1848 a new solid ball called 'gutty' was introduced. It was made of a rubber substance. The gutty was then replaced by a rubber ball invented by a US golfer around 1898. The oldest golf club is the 'Gentlemen Golfers of Leith' now known as 'Honorable company of Edinburgh Golfers'. The oldest golf course in the world is Mussel burg in Scotland.

The Golf Course

Golf is played on a huge, grass covered land area designed as a golf course. The course consists of a series of holes. The hole in the ground into which the ball is played is called the 'Cup' and the area from where the first ball is hit is called the 'Tee'. The ball is hit from tee to green. The 'Green' is the area around the actual hole or cup. The objective of the player is to get the ball in each hole using the least strokes possible. The first stroke is always hit by a player from the tee and is referred to as 'teeing off'. After teeing off, the player hits the ball again from the position where it came to rest. Here the aim of the player if to get the ball on the putting green. The objective on the putting green is to putt the ball until it goes into the cup. The game is made more difficult by unleveled ground, water hazards and bunkers.

Types of Play

Golf can be either played as a 'Match Play' or as a 'stroke Play'. In match play every player plays single hole as a separate game against each other. In stroke play, players count the total number of shots played during the whole round of game or tournament. The player using the lesser number of shots or 'strokes' to put the ball in the cup wins the game.

Golf Course Types

Most golf courses are unique but can still be classified as one of the following types:

• Links: These are the most traditional types of courses.
• Parkland: These are typical inland courses with lawns and trees.
• Heath land: These are more open and less wooded courses.
• Desert Courses: These are a latest concept in the architecture of golf courses.
• Browns: These courses are made by using layers of tar and gravel below the sandy surface, to give firmness and support.
• Sand Courses: On these courses players play on sand with a bright colored ball.
• Par3 Courses: Theses courses consist entirely of shorter holes.
• Executive Courses: These courses are smaller than an 18 hole course but larger than a 9 hole course.

Golf Rules

There are many rules in golf. Often these rules are called 'rules of etiquette' not because they involve more manners but because many of them relate to the safety of golfers and others watching them. Some rules are listed below:

• A golfer should not swing club until he is sure that all others are at a safe distance.
• A golfer should not hit the ball until he is sure that the group ahead of him is out of range of the ball.
• A golfer shall always keep carts away from grass and hazards.
• No one is allowed to talk during a players swing.
• One should always watch for his shadow on putting green.
• Not much time should be spent looking for a lost ball.