A Good Walk Ruined: The History of Golf

Golf originated in 15th-century Scotland, evolving from informal urban games into the structured sport played on coastal links. While the term likely derives from the Dutch word "kolf," the game’s development remains tied to Scottish history, including early parliamentary bans by King James II and subsequent royal patronage. The standard 18-hole format emerged from St. Andrews, which remains a central authority in the sport. Over centuries, golf transitioned from using wooden clubs and feather-stuffed balls to high-tech equipment, significantly altering course design and player performance. The sport’s growth in the United States was spurred by the formation of the USGA, created partly to standardize rules and curb the erratic behavior of early architects. Despite its historical reputation as an elite, exclusionary pastime, golf has increasingly democratized, expanding access across diverse demographics and social settings.