Whether you are a professional golfer, novice, or simply someone who appreciates a good round, you’re part of a global community. This sport is popular across the globe for many different reasons, including the ability to connect with other golfers as well as taking on challenging courses that test your skill.
While you may know all about the different techniques and golf lingo, there’s more to this sport that you may not know.
10 things you may not know about golf
- It used to be a rebellious sport
Between 1457 and 1744, golf was banned in Scotland on three different occasions. The reason? It was thought to interfere with military training. The early years of golf also saw many people golf in public spaces, making golfers a bit of a nuisance.
- It is a Scottish sport
Ironically, the people who banned the sport were the same people who invented it. The theory is that it was created during the Middle Ages although no one knows for sure. While playing in public spaces was the norm, in the beginning, people in the countryside soon took to building clubs and courses to play the sport out of harm’s way.
- Tiger Woods was 8 years old when he had his first hole-in-one
That is right, the golfing legend played better than most adults from a young age. He was six months old when he first showed an interest in the sport and started playing at the age of two.
- He has won 81 PGA tournaments
It turns out that when you start playing at the age of two, the extra practice does wonders for your career. To date, he has won 81 PGA tournaments. He has also won 15 majors.
- Phil Mickelson uses his opposite hand to play golf
Although he is right-handed, Phil Mickelson plays using his left hand. This is because he started playing at a young age and copied his father’s swing – which was done using his left hand.
- 18 is the best possible handicap for an amateur
While professional golfers have a handicap between 4 and 6, the truth is that most “normal” golfers will never get their handicaps below 18. This is because the professionals spent countless hours a day practicing, while other golfers simply have it as a hobby.
- The first round of woman’s golf took place 400 years after the sport was created
In 1811, the male-dominated sport hosted its first round of women’s golf in Scotland. This led to the establishment of the first women’s club in 1867.
- What are the chances of making a hole-in-one?
Hold onto your hats because you have a one in 12,500 chance of making a hole-in-one. You’ve got a way better chance of winning big playing the Bingo Australia offers. Some professional golfers have gone their entire career without making a hole-in-one.
- Golf balls were made from interesting things
When golf first started, the balls were leather that was then wrapped in feathers. The ball-making process was time-consuming and as you can imagine, the balls did not last. This lead to manufacturers attempting to make wooden balls, although there is no real evidence to support this.
And there you have it, some interesting golf trivia for you to share the next time you hit the course.