Gty 480763772 74513766

Evolution of Golf

  • May 14, 1450

    Earliest Origins of Golf begins

    Earliest Origins of Golf begins
    Traced back to Scotland In the 15th century where objects were hit with long sticks in order to reach a target yards away.
  • Jun 21, 1457

    Golf was banned by the Scottish Government

    It was interfering with archery practice, a necessary skill used for defence.
  • May 24, 1500

    Ban on Golf was lifted

    The sport gained popularity among nobility individuals
  • First known "Golf Balls" were made

    First known "Golf Balls" were made
    Constructed out of a hard leather made ball that was stuffed with feathers
  • First official rules of golf were created

    Set into place by Honourable company of Edinburgh Golfers. Enforced rules of etiquette and stroke penalties in addition with the proper clubs that should be used.
  • Legendary St. Andrews Golf Club is formed in Scotland

    Legendary St. Andrews Golf Club is formed in Scotland
    First ever Golf Club to be formed and is still considered one of the most prestigious club today. It for the most part, hosts the British Open every year.
  • St Andrews Golf course reduced the number of holes played from 22 to 18

    St Andrews Golf course reduced the number of holes played from 22 to 18
    An act that made the game of golf more recognizable around the world and an effort to shorten the time span of the game
  • First Open Championship is played at Prestwick Golf and Country Club in Scotland

    First Open Championship is played at Prestwick Golf and Country Club in Scotland
    Won by Willie Park with a score of 174 through 3 rounds of 12 holes. The prize that was won was called the "challenge belt".
  • Company called Persimmon wood became a popular company for making club heads in the 1890's

    Company called Persimmon wood became a popular company for making club heads in the 1890's
    One of the original companies to take on the golfing market and become popular amongst the pros.
  • The Ladies’ Golf Union is formed in the UK and the British Ladies’ Amateur Golf Championship is played for the first time at Royal Lytham & St Annes

    The Ladies’ Golf Union is formed in the UK and the British Ladies’ Amateur Golf Championship is played for the first time at Royal Lytham & St Annes
    It was won by Lady Scott of England after 3 rounds of 18 holes. She would continue to win the next two consecutive years and serve as a prominent figure in women's golf
  • The USGA (United States Golf Association) is formed in New York

    The USGA (United States Golf Association) is formed in New York
    Consisted of 5 courses... St. Andrew’s Golf Club of Yonkers, N.Y., Newport Golf Club, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., and Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill. All of which came together in 1894 and administer a championship while also initiating the rules of Golf for the country
  • The Mens U.S open is first played At Newport Country Club In Rhode Island and the Woman U.S open is played at Meadow Brook Club in Long Island

    The Mens U.S open is first played At Newport Country Club In Rhode Island and the Woman U.S open is played at Meadow Brook Club in Long Island
    Mens championship won by Charles B Macdonald and the women's championship won by Lucy Barnes Brown
  • Golf is first played at the Paris Olympic Games

    Golf is first played at the Paris Olympic Games
    Twenty two participants took part (12 men and 10 women) from four countries who competed in 36-hole individual stroke play events for men and women. The women’s Olympic champion was Margaret Abbot (USA) and Charles Sands (USA) was the men’s champion.
  • The rubber cored Haskell ball is introduced

    The rubber cored Haskell ball is introduced
    Changed the game entirely as it travelled farther than the old gutta-percha ball and cost considerably less because it could be mass produced. The game’s popularity surged in response.
  • Golf is taken out of the 1908 Olympics

    Golf is taken out of the 1908 Olympics
    Due the construction of courses and players having to travel long distances, Golf was taken out of the Olympics
  • The Professional Golfers Association is formed

    The Professional Golfers Association is formed
    Later that year the US PGA Championship is played for the first time at Siwanoy Country Club in New York. James M. Barnes defeated Jock Hutchinson in the championship match, taking home the famous Wanamaker Trophy and a purse of $2,580.
  • The Ryder Cup is played for the first time between the men’s professionals of Great Britain and the USA at Gleneagles Golf Club

    The Ryder Cup is played for the first time between the men’s professionals of Great Britain and the USA at Gleneagles Golf Club
    It was won by Great Britain
  • Steel shafted clubs are accepted by The PGA

    Steel shafted clubs are accepted by The PGA
    True Temper developed the first seamless tapered step-down shaft. This technique allowed them to decrease the outside diameter of the shaft by creating a step-down design which tapered to fit into the club-head. This design helped create different shaft flexes for the golfers' individual needs.
  • Bobby Jones completed the Grand Slam of The Open, the Amateur Championship, The US Open and the US Amateur Championship in one season.

    Bobby Jones completed the Grand Slam of The Open, the Amateur Championship, The US Open and the US Amateur Championship in one season.
    First player to ever win the pre-masters grand slam and collected over $60,000
  • The First inaugural Masters is staged at Augusta National

    The First inaugural Masters is staged at Augusta National
    It is won by Horton Smith (USA) and became the most prestigious tournament in golf with the prize being the infamous Green jacket
  • The Ladies’ Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) is formed in the USA.

    The Ladies’ Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) is formed in the USA.
    It was founded in 1950 by a group of 13 female golfers who all wanted to expand and promote women's golf
  • The World Championship of Golf becomes the first nationally televised golf tournament in the USA.

    The World Championship of Golf becomes the first nationally televised golf tournament in the USA.
    Televised for one hour per day by the ABC Network.The tournament wound up producing a shot worthy of the event's place in golf broadcast history. https://youtu.be/Vxc8Ivs0lok
  • The LPGA Championship is played for the first time at Orchard Ridge Country Club.

    The LPGA Championship is played for the first time at Orchard Ridge Country Club.
    Won by American Beverly Hanson. The championship's format was three rounds of stroke play, followed by match play on Sunday to determine the final standings.
  • Legend Arnold Palmer wins a total of 8 tour events in 1960

    Legend Arnold Palmer wins a total of 8 tour events in 1960
    Nicknamed The King, he was one of golf's most popular stars and was dominant in 1960
  • Gary Player beats Arnold Palmer on the last hole to become the first international player to win the Masters

    Gary Player beats Arnold Palmer on the last hole to become the first international player to win the Masters
    Gary Player demonstrated his dominance in golf by being the first international player to win the Masters
  • Arnold Palmer becomes the first player to top $1 million in career earnings.

    Arnold Palmer becomes the first player to top $1 million in career earnings.
    Having won 4 Masters tournament and 3 U.S opens by the year 1968, Arnold Palmer was the first player in history to earn 1 million dollars in one year.
  • The graphite shaft was invented

    The graphite shaft was invented
    Making the club lighter and more flexible allowing golfers to make shots with more precision and power.
  • Lee Elder becomes the first black golfer to play in The Masters

    Lee Elder becomes the first black golfer to play in The Masters
    Leading up to the tournament he received substantial amounts of hate mail. Fearing for his safety, during the week of the tournament he rented two houses in town and kept moving between them, and always had people around him when he went to eat. https://youtu.be/Z-kjK5SVekg
  • Taylor Made introduces the first metal woods

    Taylor Made introduces the first metal woods
    First metal wood, a 12-degree cast stainless-steel driver that made balls travel farther and more accurately.
  • Jack Nicklaus, at the age of 46, shoots a final-round 65 at The Masters to win his 18th professional major championship, and 20th in all

    Jack Nicklaus, at the age of 46, shoots a final-round 65 at The Masters to win his 18th professional major championship, and 20th in all
    His final-day charge takes him past virtually all of the leading players of the generation below him and it would be his final major he would win. https://youtu.be/STb0KZFox8w
  • Nick Faldo sinks a 100-foot (30 m) birdie putt on the second hole at Augusta National in The Masters

    Nick Faldo sinks a 100-foot (30 m) birdie putt on the second hole at Augusta National in The Masters
    The longest putt ever made in a major tournament. Faldo would go on to win the Masters.
  • Tiger Woods becomes the youngest man ever to win the U.S. Amateur, at age 18

    Tiger Woods becomes the youngest man ever to win the U.S. Amateur, at age 18
    Several players had previously won aged 19, including Jack Nicklaus in 1959.
  • An ownership group led by Joe Gibbs and Arnold Palmer announce plans for The Golf Channel, a 24-hour, 365-day cable service.

    An ownership group led by Joe Gibbs and Arnold Palmer announce plans for The Golf Channel, a 24-hour, 365-day cable service.
    The first time in history the sport of golf would be the focus on a tv channel
  • In his first major championship as a professional, Tiger Woods becomes the youngest-ever Masters Champion at 21 years 3 months

    In his first major championship as a professional, Tiger Woods becomes the youngest-ever Masters Champion at 21 years 3 months
    setting a 72-hole scoring record of 270 (18 under par), and winning by a record margin (12 shots). He also becomes the first golfer of either Asian or African descent to win a men's major title
  • Weir wins the prestigious 2003 Masters Tournament at Augusta, Georgia, one of the four major championships.

    Weir wins the prestigious 2003 Masters Tournament at Augusta, Georgia, one of the four major championships.
    He is the first Canadian male ever to win a professional major championship, https://youtu.be/IY7kNGQg-aw
  • Tigers incredible bunker shot in the Masters

  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes in favour of golf returning to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes in favour of golf returning to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
    men's and women's 72-hole strokeplay competitions with 60 players in each field. The best 15 players in the world would qualify automatically for each draw
  • Rory Mcilroy famous final day Masters collapse

    Rory Mcilroy famous final day Masters collapse
    Aiming to complete the career grand slam at Augusta National ,he led by four shots going into the last day but dropped six in three nightmarish holes to end up with a round of 80.
  • Golf is played at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

    Golf is played at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
    for the first time in 112 years, golf made its return to the Olympics. Justin Rose captured the gold medal