The Royal and Ancient sport of golf is aptly named as it is indeed a game that is ancient and has royal connections, a game reputed to date back centuries and first played for real in Scotland, the home of golf. The Dutch also lay claim to starting the game, using the term kolf, but most historians agree that the game was first played in earnest on the links around Scotland. To this day, St Andrews is considered the home of golf and is the place where you will find the headquarters of the R&A, the governing body who oversee the game in Europe. From very early and humble beginnings, golf has grown into a multi-million dollar sport with rich rewards for those who excel at the game. Tiger Woods is the most outstanding example of this as he heads toward becoming the first sportsman to earn 1 billion dollars.
Those who played golf in the early days used basic clubs that bear little resemblance to the golf clubs we use today. Hickory shafted clubs were the order of the day and clubs were hand-made which increased their cost for their time. Many of these clubs are now worth much more as collectors items. The golf balls were also very different from those we use now, the early golfers using "featheries" and eventually gutta percha balls. The style of clothing worn can be seen from early photographs as golfers walked the fairways wearing jackets taht would today be considered very restrictive when attempting to swing the golf club.
The history of the game includes the Open Championships held in places like St Andres, Prestwick and Troon and also the players of the day whose names are now recorded in history. Allan Robertson and Tom Morris are jsut two of the gentlemen of old who won the greatest prize of the day, the Open Championship and this tradition has continued to the present time with the event now considered one of the four majors. The development of the professional game ahs also seen the Augusta Masters, US Open and US PGA being added to this list of majors that are so coveted by professional golfers.
Golf is a game of strong tradition and many enjoy a trip back in time to see the old golfers in the unique garb, using hickory clubs and old golf balls. These things are recorded in photographs and even some live footage that remind us of the humble beginnings of what has become a truly great game. As we watch Tiger Woods stride the fairways as the greatest golfer the world has known, we are reminded of the early days when this great game began as part of a game that is very much Royal and Ancient.
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