Recent evidence has been discovered that indicates yet another possibility for the origins of golf, but most experts agree with historical records that document where and how the modern game of organized golf really began.
As with many sports around the world, their origins are not always clearly known and several theories usually abound about the subject, supported by certain evidence that is embraced by some and disputed by others.
And so it is with the game of golf.
Several theories, all supported by strong evidence, claim to be the true beginning of the game of golf.
So how do we know which one to believe about where and how golf really began? To answer that question we first need to define the mechanics of the game and then determine when those mechanics created a standardized format and set of basic rules that are akin to what the game is today.
The question should be, "How did the modern game of golf begin?" The origins of the game needs to be thought of in terms of when did the game of golf take on the semblance of what we have now.
That is what really matters and that allows us to more accurately determine when golf began or any other sport for that matter.
Most sports have accurate documentation as to their beginning.
And that is when formal rules of the game and an organized series of competitions are established.
With that in mind, the most supported evidence for the origins of golf point to Scotland in the 15th century, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.
Andrews being one of the oldest and most famous golf courses.
Stick and ball type games have been documented to have been around for centuries, but the playing with a ball and clubs through an 18 hole golf course within a boundary of rules and regulations had clearly originated in Scotland.
The most recent new evidence suggesting golf's origin came in 2005 from discoveries of drawings and written records of a game played with 10 clubs and a ball that was hit into holes dug into the ground in China 500 years before the invention of golf in Scotland.
Scholars believe that Mongolian traders exported the this game to Europe and then Scotland in the late Middle Ages.
The Dutch also have a claim to the origins of golf with records depicting a golf-like game played with sticks and a leather ball that was hit into targets on the grass.
The game was played with many participants on February 26, 1297 in the Netherlands and another record showed the same game being played there in the 17th century.
There are also recordings of a game with sticks and balls in continental Europe in these early days.
Without much argument it can be stated that the modern game of golf originated in Scotland.
The first permanent golf courses were designed and located in Scotland, the first golf memberships in clubs was established in Scotland, and the first golf tournaments among cities and towns were held in Scotland.
The origin of the name 'golf' is still a mystery, however, and we may never know how this name came about, although several theories exist, but none can be substantiated.
So, hats off to the Scottish golf pioneers who created a game that can be played at any age by anyone and maybe even in the PGA or The U.
S.
Open.
Golf started as a popular game and has now grown all over the world as it has spread among enthusiasts of all walks of life.
The only things left to ponder are the introduction of golf bags and hand golf carts and then motorized golf carts.
One wonders if the Scottish are also the inventors of these golf accessories.