Golf Clubs � History in the 1800s

Golf clubs and courses were springing up as far back as the 1400s - the game has a rich history originating in the British Isles.

It is difficult to know how far back in history men have been swinging their golf clubs. But the game definitely dates back to the 1400's, by 1743 the first recorded shipment of golf clubs to America was logged � it is a game that has endured over the years and if anything, is more popular than ever.

Teeing off

The first time a player swung his golf clubs and made history was thought to be before 1457. It was this year that King James II banned the game in a Scottish Act of Parliament. Even back in the depths of history, swinging golf clubs was addictive. The reason the King stopped players swinging their golf clubs was because he felt young men and knights were missing out on their archery practice to play the game. And of course it was vital that they were adept at archery to defend the Scottish realm.

Golf club lays down rules

Perhaps the reason Scotland is considered to be the �home of golf' and where everyone wants to swing their spiritual golf clubs is because of its role in history. In 1744, the first code of rules was set down by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

History of 18 Holes

In 1764 the number of holes at the historic St Andrews golf club was reduced from 22 to 18 holes. The strip of land between the River Eden and St Andrews Bay is where golf was played since before Columbus set sail. The history of the 18-hole course is thanks to the fact that piece of land happened to be long enough for nine holes going out and nine coming home.

Empire building

Golf is so interconnected with British history that as the British Empire occupied India , golf clubs opened across the country � the Royal Calcutta Golf Club is the oldest of all the golf clubs outside the British Isles . It was built in 1829.

New balls please

In 1848 golf balls made of feathers were replaced with a rubber like substance called gutta percha. Than later, in 1898, this history of the golf ball evolved again. To get a more powerful effect, it wasn't the golf clubs but the golf balls that were improved � they were now made with rubber strands wound around a core - called the Haskell ball, it helped players hit further and longer.

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