| The game of golf has been a popular one for | | | | direction to nine, and providing modern golfers |
| centuries, but the exact origins of this unique | | | | with the 18 hole golf courses they know and love |
| pastime are still the subject of some controversy. | | | | today. |
| Some theories of golf history hold that the game | | | | The equipment used to play the game has |
| was invented by the Chinese, while others hold | | | | changed as much as the course itself, and there |
| that the game owes its existence to the Dutch. | | | | have of course been many technological advances |
| The most widely accepted theory, however, is | | | | made since the first golf club struck the first ball. |
| that the game dates back to 12th century | | | | One of the relatively new inventions in the world |
| Scotland. | | | | of golf is the humble golf tee. This highly useful |
| Scotland has long been associated with the game | | | | innovation dates back only to the 1930s; before |
| of golf, and in fact many avid golfers have | | | | that time the balls were simply struck directly off |
| traveled there to play on some of the country's | | | | the grass. |
| legendary golf courses. Many tour companies | | | | The use of steel and titanium heads for golf clubs |
| specialize in golf tours of Scotland, and the link | | | | is even newer, dating back only to the 1970's. |
| between this unique country and the game of golf | | | | Before then most golf club heads were made of |
| has in fact been well established. | | | | wood. Graphite golf club shafts followed closely in |
| Golfers will be interested to know that golf | | | | the 1980's, providing golfers with a better grip and |
| courses have not always featured the 18 holes | | | | better overall performance. |
| we are familiar with today. In the early days of | | | | The care of golf courses has also changed a |
| the game golf courses were laid out according to | | | | great deal over the years, with the highly |
| the terrain being played, and the number of holes | | | | manicured greens we see today a fairly new |
| would vary from spot to spot. For instance, the | | | | innovation. The modern equipment available to golf |
| famous St. Andrews Links originally featured a | | | | courses today allows those courses to be |
| course of 11 holes laid out along this narrow strip | | | | intricately and perfectly groomed, making play |
| of land by the ocean. Golfers would play those 11 | | | | more enjoyable and ascetically pleasing. From |
| holes, then turn around and play the same 11 | | | | fertilizers used to nourish the grass to herbicides |
| holes in reverse order. | | | | used to discourage the growth of weeds, golf |
| Later in the history of the golf course four of | | | | course owners have many ways to keep their |
| those 22 holes were deemed to be too short, | | | | beautiful courses looking their best season after |
| thus reducing the number of playable holes in each | | | | season. |