by Elisabeth Knapp

Created on: June 15, 2009   Last Updated: June 23, 2009

'Golf is a good walk spoilt' said Mark Twain. This may be the case for some, but the origins and popularity of this sport stretch centuries back, far further back than even Mr. Twain's time.

It has been debated as to the exact time in which the game of golf was invented, however Scotland, and specifically St. Andrews golf course, are seen to be recognised as the 'home of golf'. This was, after all, the place where the foundations were set for the modern sport of golf as we know it today: where the rules were devised, the first eighteen hole golf course was created and where in 1754 the St. Andrews' Society of Golfers were formed to compete in annual competitions.

As to how old the sport is, that is still open to debate. Some believe that the game originated in as far back as the 12th century, where shepherds would knock stones into rabbit holes. Some look back even further, suggesting that there are references to a sport very much like golf in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Whatever the exact age of the game, it is a fact that golf is one of the oldest sports still played today.

The first international golf match was in 1682, with the Duke of York partnered with John Paterstone of Scotland, playing against and defeating two English noblemen. This is also the first recorded instance of a caddy, with Duke of York's clubs being carried by a man named John Dickson.

Golf has some of the oldest tournaments for a sport, with the Open Championship (or the British Open as Americans like to call it) beginning in 1862 at Prestwick Golf Club. It's first winner was scotsman Willie Park Sr., who went on to win it a further three times and come runner-up four times. The tournament was also won by Willie's brother Mungo and twice by his son Willie Park Jr. In modern times, the Open has become one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, making up part of 'the majors' of golf, along with the US Open, the Masters and the PGA championship.

Golf has become a massive sport all around the world, with 26 million people playing the sport globally. Although mostly popular in English speaking nations, Golf has begun to grow in popularity across all corners of the world: in China for example, there have been 376 golf courses built since 1984.

The game of golf continues to be a popular spectator sport for many, with millions tuning in to tournaments around the world. Golf continues to make superstars out of its professional players, particularly Tiger Woods, who has earned millions of dollars through prize money and lucrative sponsorship and advertising campaigns.

Golf has been criticised in the past by many for being an elitist sport, being too expensive and inaccessible for the masses and being reserved only for the celebrities and the rich. It has also been condemned by some with regards to green issues, with some suggesting that construction and upkeep of golf courses (with the use of pesticides etc) is damaging to the environment.

Whatever the view of golf it cannot be denied that it holds its place in history with its roots and popularity. Golf even gets a mention in the diary of Samuel Peyps in the year 1661, showing that the sport was in the public domain in the time of the Plague and even before the Great Fire of London.

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