Golf history in the US dates back hundreds of years, and its roots can be traced all the way to the Dutch colony in 16th century New Amsterdam. The Dutch settlers played kolf on ice and throughout the year in Fort Orange. This sport was banned from being played in the city streets by the Dutch ruler, who passed an ordinance against it. Throughout the ensuing years, the game has grown into a highly popular sport and a global phenomenon.
Origins
The origins of golf in the USA are controversial and can be traced back as far as ancient Rome. Some historians attribute the game’s development to shepherd boys knocking stones into holes with a crook. Other sources indicate that it evolved from a walking game called chuiwan played in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It’s not clear how the game came to be played in the United States, but there’s no denying its popularity.
Early development
While golf was popular in Scotland and England during the 18th century, it was not well-known in the United States until the late 1890s. Golf courses began to be constructed in the early 1900s after professional landscapers and architects began to design them. By the end of the century, two golf courses had claimed the national amateur championship. This led to the formation of the American Golf Association in 1894, and golf in the United States became an organized sport.
Origins of the golf ball
A history of the golf ball in the United States is complex. Its history dates back to the 1840s, when Robert Adams Paterson, a student at St. Andrew’s University, received a package from Singapore containing gutta-percha, a dried gummy resin produced by the Sapodilla tree in Malaysia. An avid golfer and amateur inventor, Paterson decided to experiment with the substance. Heating it and placing it in a mold to dry resulted in a golf ball.
Evolution of the game
The recent emergence of multiethnic, young, and diverse amateur golfers has captured the interest of television audiences. In high-profile televised championship golf events, Englishmen Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar, along with Thai-American Jenny Chuasiriporn and Korean-American Grace Park, shone like teen amateur golf stars. The sport may become an appropriate recreational activity for minority youths in the future.
African Americans’ involvement in golf
Before Tiger Woods made his mark, there were notable African American golfers. John Shippen won the second U.S. Open in 1896. But the battle to integrate the sport was never really won, and most African Americans involved were merely caddies. Today, the African American golfer community remains small and the sport continues to be racially segregated. However, that’s about to change.
Major championships
The major championships are the most important events in golf, with the world’s top golfers competing for the title of champion. These events are also considered the pinnacle of the game, and winning one of the four majors boosts a player’s career more than any other win. The list below includes all the golfers who have won at least three majors. Each golfer is listed by the number of major championships they have won, as well as the number of tournaments they’ve won.
Artifacts in golf museums
One of the most unique golf museums is the one housed at the James River Country Club. This museum contains a vast collection of golf artifacts dating back to the early years of golf. Many of the items on display date as far back as the 17th century, and the oldest club on display is the putter used by Simon Cossar, who played golf on the Old Course in St. Andrews in 1790. Another museum features the first U.S. Open-winning putter used by Horace Rawlins, Bobby Jones’s three golf clubs, and many others from his championship years.
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"It gets late early out here."
Yogi…
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