Since golf sometimes is called the game of kings, you might wonder whether it has royal roots. To answer this question, the team at Waikoloa Village Golf Club, the premier golf course on Hawaii’s Big Island, offers an overview of the activity’s extensive background. By understanding golf’s history, you will learn how it became the game it is today.  

Golf’s Origins

Golf dates to the reign of Rome’s Julius Caesar, who took office in 49 B.C. Though golf was different at that time, it had a few striking similarities to today’s sport. Roman citizens played with tree branches and balls stuffed with feathers. About 1,000 years later, another ball-and-stick game was popular during China' s Song Dynasty, from 960–1279 A.D. Though the games from these periods had different rules, they formed golf’s foundation.

Later Development

In the 15th century, modern-day golf first was played in Scotland. It became so popular it was outlawed by the monarchy because it was distracting military personnel from training. The ban was lifted two years later, and even royalty began playing the sport. In the 17th century, golf spread throughout Great Britain, where it was played by King James VI.

Golf reached America by 1729, when the governor of Massachusetts had clubs. In 1744, a Scottish society, the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, wrote the game’s first rules. Twenty years later, a mandate created an 18-hole format, setting standards as golf gained international popularity.

The first Open Championship, also known as the British Open, was played at Prestwick, Scotland, in 1860. The United States Golf Association formed about 30 years later, and it established its own championship in 1895.

Over the years, golf has become a favorite pastime for people of all ages. It also has developed professional competitive organizations and even become an Olympic sport. The game continues to evolve through athletic achievements and equipment innovations.

If you would like to play golf on one of the country’s premier courses, visit Hawaii’s Waikoloa Village Golf Club. This Big Island golf course offers a challenging layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. as well as fantastic views and a team of experts who are passionate about the game. Visit them online to book a tee time and call (808) 883-9621 to speak with a staff member. Follow them on Twitter for news and updates from the golf course.