Archive for the ‘Golf Game’ Category

A Brief History of Golfing

One of the most elegant and prolific games of this century, golf has a fascinating trail of history running behind. The word ”golf” is actually a modification of the Dutch word “kolf” which simply means a “bat,” “stick,” or “club”. If defined literally, the game is all about striking a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes while complying with the rules of the game. It is one of those rare games which do not require playing area; rather golf is played on golf “courses.” The competitions of golf are based on stroke play, where the individual or team posts with lowest score on the most individual for a full round, wins the game. Some other team games of golf such as fourball have been pioneered, and are played either using matchplay format or stroke. Several alternative styles of golf playing have been introduced like disc golf and miniature golf. However, it is still interesting to find out the History of golf.

Most scholars agree with the “fact” that the Scots were first to popularize the game of golf. However, there exists no common consensus in the history of golf about the inventors of the classy sport. The records suggest a golf-like game was played in a city called Loenen aan de Vecht, Netherlands, on 26 February 1297. The Dutchmen played this game with leather ball and a stick. Actually, the game required the players to hit the ball into a target situated several hundreds of meters away.

The emphasis on golf’s Scottish origin is contributed to the fact that the game was mentioned in two 15th-century Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Further, there are evidences that in A.D 1456, the first game of golf was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, as recorded in the archives of The Royal Burgess Golfing Society.

There are some reports which record evidences of golf from continental Europe. Different forms of sports similar to golf were played in 14th century in the countries of France, Belgium, and Holland, apart from Scotland. However, the game was introduced in England by a keen Scottish Baron, James VI, after succeeding on the English throne in 1603.

In the early years of golf, the players never thought of forming a club or society until in 1744 a group of Edinburgh golfers united into a club named Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. It was here that the first 13 rules of golf were drawn up for an annual contest. In 1766, Royal Blackheath Golf Club was formed in England – the first golf club formed outside Scotland.

Although traces of golf can be encountered in 18th century United States, however the game was still waiting to be popularized. The history of golf in North America began with its roots in Canada. In 1873, The Royal Montreal Club was formed, which was followed by the Quebec Golf Club in 1875 and the golf club in Toronto a year later. It was in 1888 that golf re-emerged in the United States. For the first time the “three-hole golf course” was built in Yonkers, New York by a Scotsman, John Reid on a 30-acre site. From a modest beginning, golf emerged as the new national pastime in the United States.

In the recent times golf has become a complete spectators’ game, involving professionals at different levels and amateur tours across various terrains of the world. Not only the game, but the golf players -Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus to name a few, have gained worldwide recognition as great sports personalities. Engrossingly huge sponsorships and new technologies being developed to assist golfers and dedication and raw talent from the emerging players all suggest a luminous new chapter in the “history of golf”.

Three Simple Tips for Beginners at Golf

So are you just starting out playing golf and whilst wanting to fully enjoy your game you don?t wish to incur both expense and confusion? Here are three tips to help you on your way.

? The United States Golf Association (USGA) produces “The Rules of Golf and The Rules of Amateur Status”

Make sure you get yourself a copy. This is a valuable source for everything you could possibly need to know regarding the official rules of the game, how the handicaps work, amateur status, which equipment to use and so on. You can get your copy from USGA online at www.usga.org.

? Rent Your Equipment

It makes sense at first to rent your golf equipment as buying can be expensive, even when you only need beginners clubs. Let’s face it, you do not know at this stage if you will continue to play golf so renting is the best option. If you decide to carry on playing you could take a look at eBay and see what sellers have to offer by way of used clubs. If you intend to take lessons, you should allow in the price range of $50-$60 per hour for a professional trainer.

? Be Prepared

Unless you are playing somewhere where there is an enforced dress code (say, for example, a country club) it is best to wear comfortable and loose fitting clothes ? casual wear such as a polo shirt and shorts are a good choice. Remember to dress to suit the weather conditions. You will need comfortable footwear too because if there is a shortage of carts available, you will find yourself doing quite a bit of walking from one hole to the next. Although golf is not considered to be a dangerous sport, if practicing alone, you should carry a bottle of water, a basic first aid kit and a cell phone, just in case of emergencies.

Golf – Fundamentals Are The Foundation

Concentrate on the Fundamentals

As a beginner, you must attempt to stay away from everything except the basics of the golf grip, stance and swing.

Building a good solid foundation from which to work off of is a must.

The specialty or more intricate refinements of the golf swing should be attempted only when you feel that you are playing a satisfactory game on a regular basis.

You will be just as confused by the more advanced techniques when you accomplish this as you would be now, however, by that time you will have the skill to adapt some of these ore difficult moves.

The only hard and fast rule to golf is the score at the end after you have holed out.

The United States Golf Association is the final authority on any rules involved in playing the game here.

While you are not required to memorize the rules of golf, keep a copy of them in your golf bag, and become at least familiar with them, it will help you immensely in playing this game.

Your goal will be to develop a game which you can enjoy play due to the results of your work.

While principles and advice can correct a procedure the game you ultimately play will be of your own production.

Another goal will be to improve your game enough to simply “get away with it”, meaning to be able to at least play the game.

The main aim of playing golf, which is a game of near misses, is to keep the errors to a minimum.

Utilizing ever bit of your talent allows you to avoid trouble by thinking, excellent nerve control and careful planning.

Don’t allow anything to cause you to loose your cool in golf, not the size or difficulty of the course, or a wind strong enough to blow you down, remain cool at all times.

A golf game that is successful must start with knowing how to swing the club and hit the ball, without these two fundamentals you cant even begin to claim to know how to play!

The Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Golfing With Your Kids

Golfing with your kids is a lot different than golfing with adults, obviously.

Your kids have a shorter attention span, and they are also shorter than your friends.

Your kids have to be supervised the whole time, whereas your friends do not (usually).

Your kids sometimes act like they are being tortured just by being on the golf course, whereas your friends do not (usually).

It would be so much more fun if your kids acted like they were having fun rather than being tortured when you are out golfing with them. It be even better if they looked forward to going and told all their friends how much fun golfing is, right?

I have spent a lot of time with kids on golf courses over the last 15 years, and I have learned by trial and error what works and what does not. Let me share with you seven common mistakes I have made that you should avoid when playing golf with kids:

Mistake #1: Not Preparing Mentally

You want to be in the best mood possible for your sake and the kids. Do whatever it takes to get in a good mood before you go. Think happy thoughts, leave work and bills behind, stop at their favorite fast food place on the way there, whatever it takes. If you are not in a good mood, they will know it and it will affect the enjoyment for all.

Mistake #2: Not Preparing the Equipment

The last thing you and your kids want to be doing on the course is fumbling around the golf bags looking for golf balls, tees, ball markers, etc. Take some time before you go to get all of the bags (including yours) set up with everything they will need, including a full water bottle or sport drink and snack. Make sure each person knows where these things are before you leave.

Mistake #3: Going at a Crowded Time

As mistakes go, this one is not so bad. It can happen regardless of planning. Just do your best to go on off times (the pro shop can suggest the best times to golf with kids). The less waiting you have to do on tee boxes, the less opportunity for distraction and boredom.

Mistake #4: Making Too Many Rules

There are many, many rules of golf, most of which we do not know and do not think about. Kids need to learn the rules, but not all at once. Start off with just the basics: no running on the green, do not hit until I say you can, be quiet when others are hitting, do not lay your clubs on the green. After a few trips, these things will become automatic and you can begin teaching them how to take proper relief and what the different color markers mean. You will be pleasantly surprised when, all of a sudden, you all play a round of golf and everything just clicks. Let me tell you it is marvelous!

Mistake #5: Yelling When They Make a Mistake

Kids are going to get angry and wild and make mistakes on the course, after all they are kids. In fact they are going to do things you never even dreamed of: throwing golf balls at each other, slamming clubs on the ground, hitting when someone is in front of them, climbing trees, etc. While it is tempting to yell at them to stop, I have found it to be much more effective to walk over to the offender and tell them the next time you do that we are all going to have to leave. This adds a little peer group pressure to the equation and works quite well. If the behavior continues, do not be shy about following through with your threat and taking everyone home. It just might turn out to be a great lesson for them all to learn, and pay great dividends in the future.

Mistake #6: Forgetting the Kids at the Course (Just Kidding). Let us call this one Taking too Much Time and Getting Stressed Out

I have always been a fan of prompt play. Nothing gets to me quicker than continually waiting on the group in front, or worse, watching the group behind leaning on their clubs waiting for a slow person in my group. When I first started playing golf with my kids and their friends, I would obsess over our pace of play – constantly looking back to make sure we were not holding anyone up. It really robbed me of a lot of the enjoyment I should have been experiencing with kids on the course. The next three ideas sum up the solutions I have found to ease this stress and increase the level of enjoyment for everyone.

Teach your kids that their place on the course is behind the group in front of them, not in front of the group behind them.

Teach your kids how to play ready golf to catch up to the group in front, i.e., it is OK to hit when you are ready, as long as no one is in front of you.

Teach your kids how to let the group behind play through. Make sure to demonstrate the proper etiquette, telling the group playing through to have a great round! What if you have to let more than one group play through? So what, you are out here to have fun, and the longer time spent having fun the better, right?

Mistake #7: Staying Too Long

This one takes a little observation and feel, kind of like the game of golf itself. If they are just getting a little tired, a few words of encouragement from you may work fine to get them through the last few holes. If, on the other hand, their fatigue is affecting their interaction with others (name calling, curt, angry responses to simple comments, etc.), maybe it is time to head for the car. You do not have to blame stopping on them, which will make them feel bad. You can say you are getting tired and you sure could use a cold drink. This way they do not feel like they were on the Bataan Death March and will remember a good time, which is critical in your quest to get them interested in golf.

Playing golf with kids is definitely different than playing golf with your friends, but it can be a rewarding experience. Their youthful energy and natural exuberance can even wear off on you, bringing a whole new level of fun to your own game!

« Older Entries