What are the top 10 golf courses in the world?
Top 100 Courses in the World: GOLF’s 2021-22 ranking of the best designs on the planet
- Pine Valley. Analyzing a golf course need not be complicated. ...
- Cypress Point. It’s almost inconceivable that land this stunning was made available for golf. ...
- St. ...
- Shinnecock Hills. ...
- National Golf Links of America. ...
- Royal County Down. ...
- Royal Melbourne (West) The immense appeal of Alister MacKenzie’s Golden Age masterwork is captured by former world No. ...
- Oakmont. ...
What is the greatest golf course in the world?
Twenty-three of the 100 Greatest courses outside the United States for 2020-’21 were founded in the 19th century, including Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down, No. 1 in our world ranking for the third consecutive time.
What is the oldest golf course in the world?
Which British golfer has won most majors?
- 5 British Opens (1975, ’77, ’80, ’82, ’83)
- 2 Masters (1977, ’81)
- 1 U.S. Open (1982) Watson won eight majors and dominated golf’s oldest tournament, the British Open, like no one else, winning five times in a nine-year span and coming close ...
What are the best golf courses in America?
The 25 best golf courses in America in 2019, ranked
- Pine Valley Golf Club, Pine Valley, New Jersey. Shot values: 8.9 Aesthetics: 8.9 Ambiance : 9.2 Total score : 72.0 An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.
- Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia. Shot values: 8.7 Aesthetics: 9.2 Ambiance: 9.4 Total score: 71.6
- Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach, California. ...
Where was the first golf course in the world?
The Old Course at St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, UK, is the oldest golf course in the world. Archbishop Hamilton's Charter in 1552 is the earliest documentary evidence that allowed the people of St Andrews to play golf on the Links.
What's the oldest golf course in the country?
Foxburg Country Club, established in 1887, is the oldest golf course in continuous use in the United States. It is located in Foxburg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States of America, approximately 55 miles (89 km) north of Pittsburgh on a hill rising about 300 feet above the Allegheny River.
What country is the birthplace of golf?
Andrews, Scotland: See the place where golf was born and Will and Kate fell in love. Tiny St. Andrews has a huge reputation, known around the world as the birthplace and royal seat of golf.
Who built the first golf course?
John and Elizabeth Reed are credited with popularizing golf in the United States. John Reed founded the St. Andrew's Club (one of the founding clubs in the USGA) in Yonkers, New York in 1888.
What is the second oldest golf course in the world?
BLOGSt Andrews Course (1754)Musselburgh Old Course (1774)Elie and Earlsferry (1787)Fortrose (1793)Kinghorn (1812)
Where is the oldest golf course in England?
Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! can rightly claim to be the cradle of English Golf. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country and is regarded as the St Andrews of the South.
When was golf first invented?
The modern game of golf originated in 15th century Scotland. The 18-hole round was created at the Old Course at St Andrews in 1764.
Who discovered golf?
The Dutch talk of a 13th-century sport called "colf"; the French say they first had the idea with "palle-mail" in the 1400s; but it is the Scots who have been most widely credited with having invented the game of golf.
Why is Scotland known for golf?
Scotland is the Birthplace of Golf The modern game of golf was born in Scotland, and the first 18 hole course and the rules were both formed in the country. It is widely believed that St Andrews is where the first reference of golf was found, and this dates back all the way to 1552.
What is the oldest golf?
St Andrews Old CourseSt Andrews Old Course The Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world. The first documented rounds of golf here date back to 1552 and since then the course has become the most famous golf course in the world and an absolute must for any golf fan.
What state was the first in golf?
The Beginning When Russell Montague of West Virginia learned of the sport that was so popular in Scotland and where he studied in Great Britain, he was intrigued. With the help of some local friends and neighbors, he built the first golf course in the United States on his Sulphur Springs property.
When did golf start in Scotland?
15th centuryThe first record of golf in Scotland dates back to the 15th century. In 1457, golf was banned by parliament as it was seen as a distraction from military training.
Where did golf originate?
The modern game of golf is generally considered to be a Scottish invention. A spokesman for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, said "Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland." The word golf, or in Scots gowf [gʌuf], is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch " colf " or " colve " meaning " stick, " club ", " bat ", itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning " bell clapper", and the German Kolben meaning " mace or club". The Dutch term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest number of strokes needed to hit a ball with a mallet into a hole determines the winner; according to the "Le grand dictionnaire françois-flamen" printed 1643 is stated the Dutch term to Flemish: "Kolf, zest Kolve; Kolfdrager, Sergeant; Kolf, Kolp, Goulfe."
When was golf invented in Scotland?
The first documented mention of golf in Scotland appears in a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament, an edict issued by King James II of Scotland prohibiting the playing of the games of gowf and futball as these were a distraction from archery practice for military purposes.
How fast can a golf ball go?
These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot exceed 250 feet per second.
How did golf evolve?
The evolution of golf can be explained by the development of the equipment used to play the game. Some of the most notable advancements in the game of golf have come from the development of the golf ball. The golf ball took on many different forms before the 1930s when the United States Golf Association (USGA) set standards for weight and size. These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot exceed 250 feet per second. Since this time, the golf ball has continued to develop and impact the way the game is played.
When was the first round of kolf played?
In December 1650, the settlers of Fort Orange (near present-day Albany, New York) played the first recorded round of kolf (golf) in America. The Dutch settlers played kolf year round. During the spring, summer and fall it was played in fields. In the winter it was played on ice with the same rules.
What is the name of the game played in the Low Countries?
In the 1261 Middle Dutch manuscript of the Flemish poet Jacob van Maerlant 's Boeck Merlijn mention is made of a ball game "mit ener coluen" (with a colf/kolf [club]). This is the earliest known mention in the Dutch language of the game of colf/kolf as played in the Low Countries.
How many golf courses were built in Japan in 2009?
The 1987 Resort Law that reduced protection on agricultural land and forest preserves created a further boom in course construction and by 2009 there were over 2,400 courses. The popularity of golf in Japan also caused many golf resorts to be created across the Pacific Rim.
What were golf clubs made of?
At this time golfers were using hand-crafted wooden clubs usually made from beech with shafts of ash or hazel, and balls were made from compressed feathers wrapped in a stitched horse hide. During the 19th century as the might of the British Empire expanded to encompass the globe, so golf followed closely behind.
What are the rules for playing golf with water?
Rules that even now sound so familiar to many; …’If your ball comes among water, or any watery filth, you are at liberty to take out your ball and bringing it behind the hazard and teeing it, you may play it with any club and allow your adversary a stroke for so getting out your ball. ’.
What was the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution of the Victorian era brought with it many changes. The birth of the railways allowed ordinary people to explore outside of their towns and cities for the first time, and as a consequence golf clubs began to appear all over the countryside.
When was golf invented?
The game of golf officially became a sport when the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith formed the first club in 1744 and set up an annual competition with silverware prizes. The rules for this new competition were drafted by Duncan Forbes. Rules that even now sound so familiar to many;
Where was the first golf tournament held?
One of the premier golf courses of the day was at Leith near Edinburgh which hosted the first international golf match in 1682, when the Duke of York and George Patterson representing Scotland, beat two English noblemen.
When was the first 18 hole golf course built?
The first ever 18-hole course was constructed at St Andrews in 1764, establishing the now recognised standard for the game. King William IV honoured the club with the title ‘Royal & Ancient’ in 1834, with that recognition and its fine course the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was established as the world’s premier golf club.
Where are the most famous golf courses in the world?
Some of the most famous golf courses in the world are still to be found in Scotland: their names evoke the passion and tradition of the game of golf. Gleneagles, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Prestwick, to name but a few…. Read about the origins and history of the game of Polo.
What is the oldest golf course in the USA?
St Andrews Golf Club. 1888 1897 1897. The St Andrews Golf Club is presently the oldest golf club documented to be in continuous existence in USA. It was started, as is widely known, by John Reid and four friends on three holes in an orchard on the outskirts of New York in November 1888 and nicknamed the Apple Tree Gang.
How many holes are there in the golf course in North America?
This is the oldest extant course in North America which has 18 holes. The initial course of 12 holes was designed by Willie Davis from the Royal Montreal Club and opened in summer 1891. In 1894, Willie Dunn himself added 6 more holes to make it an 18-hole course.
When was Shinnecock Hills Golf Club founded?
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was founded in 1891, and has the oldest extant 18-hole golf course, as well as the oldest golf clubhouse, started in 1892 in America. It was also the first club in America to admit women, which it did from the start, and possibly the second in the world to do so, after Aldeburgh GC in England.
When was Savannah Golf Club founded?
The present Savannah Golf Club and course was founded in 1899, apparently without knowledge of its ancestry at the time or for decades after, (much like Fraserburgh Golf Club ).
When was the USGA formed?
USGA. The US Golf Association was formed in 1894 and the Canadian Golf Association a year later in 1895. The founding members of the USGA were St Andrews Golf Club, The Country Club, the Chicago Golf Club, the Newport Golf Club and the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The Country Club 1892 1893 1899.
When was Oakhurst Links laid out?
Oakhurst Links are reported to have been laid out in 1884 by Russell Montague, with the first recorded match in 1888. The Links fell into disuse in 1912, but were revived in 1994 as a hickory course and have staged the US National Hickory Championship.
Where was the first golf course in Montreal?
The first golf course was a 9-hole layout on Fletcher’s Field, part of Mount Royal Park on the outskirts of Montreal but the club moved to Dixie in 1896 where it remained for over sixty years until it moved to its present site at Ile Bizard in 1959.
What are some examples of historic golf courses?
For example, if you were to think of classic links in the United States, you probably imagine Amen Corner in Augusta, or perhaps Pinehurst in North Carolina. These are established iconic American golf courses, to be sure, but they are not the oldest.
How many holes are there in Montague's house?
His colonial-style house, which was built four years prior to the golf course, served as the clubhouse, and the simple course boasted nine holes. Montague and his friends enjoyed playing on the course, known as Oakhurst Links, for many years.
How long did it take to build the golf course at Greenbrier?
Building the course back to its original state took two years, but Keller was extremely pleased with the end result. Keller owned and operated the course for many years until he recently sold it to Greenbrier Resort, which is located just a few miles up the road.
Where did Keller live?
Keller lived in New York but would come to play golf with Snead in West Virginia frequently. After seeing the property, he knew he had to make the purchase. Keller used the land as a summer home and horse farm until the early 1990’s when he made the move to return the land to the Oakhurst Links golf course.
Where can I read about Oakhurst?
It seems appropriate when visiting the first golf course in the United States. If you are interested in more details of Oakhurst, you can read about the links in Paula DiPerna’s and Vikki Keller’s book Oakhurst: The Birth and Rebirth of America’s First Golf Course available on Amazon.com.
When was the first golf tournament held in the United States?
Montague hosted its first competition in 1888 in Scottish match play tradition. Their annual competition became the first golf tournament known to be played in the United States, and the medal given to the winner was known as the oldest golf prize in America.
When was golf first introduced?
The Beginning. Back in 1884, golf was not really heard of in the United States. Anyone who witnessed it or knew of it in other countries considered it a strange sport. When Russell Montague of West Virginia learned of the sport that was so popular in Scotland and where he studied in Great Britain, he was intrigued.
Did You Know?
Although Downers Grove Golf Club has been renovated numerous times, much of the original course is intact, including holes 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9.
What is the second oldest clubhouse in the world?
The clubhouse at Dorset Field Club, Woodruff Hall, has been in use since 1896 and is believed to be the second oldest standing clubhouse after the clubhouse of The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
How many acres are there in Foxburg Country Club?
Area: 61 acres (24.7 ha) photo source: Wikimedia Commons. The Foxburg Country Club is another golf club that’s brought up any time there is a discussion over which golf course is the oldest in America. The club’s founder was Joseph Mickle Fox, a descendant of the land and oil rich Fox family from Philadelphia.
Why was Quogue Field Club closed?
Following a hurricane in 1938, parts of Quogue Field Club were destroyed and the club and course remained closed until 1945 because of World War II. Over the years, Quogue Field Club has been updated by several architects, including Frank Duane, Stephen Kay, and Ian Andrew.
What is Chicago Golf Club?
Like most of the founding members of the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Chicago Golf Club is a private and exclusive club. The Chicago Golf Club was founded in 1892 and its first golf course was built that same year in nearby Downers Grove by Charles Blair MacDonald, who is widely considered the founding father of golf in America.Over the next few years golf grew in popularity in America and so did the Chicago Golf Club. In 1895, the club moved over to the current site in Wheaton and MacDonald built a new 18-hole golf course. The new Chicago Golf Club course hosted the 1897, 1900 and 1911 U.S. Opens, the 1897, 1905, 1909 and 1912 U.S. Amateurs and the 1903 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The Chicago Golf Club is still going strong today and considers itself the first 18-hole golf course in America.
How many holes are there in the Country Club?
The course slowly evolved over the years and today, there are 27 holes called the Clyde, Squirrel and Primrose nines.
Where is the American Golf Hall of Fame?
The Foxburg Country Club is home to the American Golf Hall of Fame and the museum contains an extensive collection of extremely old and valuable golf clubs and artifacts from many different eras.
How many golf courses were there in 1866?
The Golfers Yearbook of 1866 lists 38 clubs playing 23 courses. (The average' bogey ' for the course records is 5.21 per hole.) Of these, five clubs and eight courses no longer exist, including many of the oldest courses. At the turn of the 20th century, the number of clubs and courses would rise rapidly. In 1888, the Golfing Annual lists 197 clubs playing about 126 courses, though some courses are not named. By the end of the century this would be over 2,000 clubs, on over 1,000 courses.
Which golf clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds?
Only the Royal & Ancient and Musselburgh clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds. All the other clubs of the 18th century and all the other 18 oldest golf clubs had to relocate, if only a mile or two, to establish the courses that they play today.
Why are there 18 golf courses outside of Scotland?
The reason is that these courses were located where there was enough room to expand to 18 holes. These courses were founded by visiting Scots and local interest in golf did not come until much later.
Where was the first golf course in the world?
Therefore the courses at St Andrews, Musselburgh , Elie go back much further than the index dates suggest, and they can rightly claim to be the oldest golf courses still played.
Did Kingsbarns and Scotscraig return to their original golfing grounds?
Kingsbarns and Scotscraig returned to their original golfing grounds, having been unceremoniously turfed off the land by tenant farmers who ploughed the courses up, leading to the demise of both clubs for many years.
Is Fortrose Golf Course older than the club?
Recently it has become clear that parts of Fortrose golf course play over the area used by the Fortrose golfers at the end of the 18th century, which means the course is older than the club.
When was Bruntsfield Links built?
The existence of golf at Bruntsfield Links was documented in 1695 in the City records and from the recently confirmed position of the clubhouse built there in 1717 , it is certain the present area of play dates to this time. Because of the problems confirming the exact of the courses in the list below, this makes Bruntsfield Links the oldest documented playing area, though some may argue that it is only the short-hole game is played there now. Never-the-less, it has to be mentioned and it can be played for free in the summer months.
Overview
Spread
In 1603 James VI of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England. His son, the Prince of Wales and his courtiers played golf at Blackheath, London, from which the Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins. There is evidence that Scottish soldiers, expatriates and immigrants took the game to British colonies and elsewhere during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In the early 1770s, the firs…
Origins
A golf-like game is, apocryphally, recorded as taking place on February 26, 1297, in Loenen aan de Vecht, where the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. The winner was whoever hit the ball with the fewest strokes into a target several hundred yards away. Some scholars argue that this game of putting a small ball in a hole in the ground using golf clubs was also played in 17th-cent…
Golf course evolution
Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews established a trench through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. One played the holes out, turned around, and played the holes in, for a total of 22 holes…
Equipment development
The evolution of golf can be explained by the development of the equipment used to play the game. Some of the most notable advancements in the game of golf have come from the development of the golf ball. The golf ball took on many different forms before the 1930s when the United States Golf Association (USGA) set standards for weight and size. These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot e…
Etymology
The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". This word may, in turn, be derived from the Dutch word kolf, meaning "bat" or "club", and the Dutch sport of the same name.
The Dutch term Kolf and the Flemish term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest num…
Museums
The history of golf is preserved and represented at several golf museums around the world, notably the British Golf Museum in the town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, which is the home of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and the United States Golf Association Museum, located alongside the United States Golf Association headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey.
The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida, also presents a history of the sport, as doe…
See also
• Timeline of golf history (1353–1850)
• Timeline of golf history (1851–1945)
• Timeline of golf history (1945–1999)
• Timeline of golf (2000–present)