The Evolution of Golf: From the Middle Ages to High-End Sports Clubs

The Evolution of golf started in the Middle-Ages according to our best sources. It has influences from many areas in Europe and Asia. The game as we know it today connects to the Scottish highlands. Golf evolved into a world-wide recognised and celebrated sport. With major championships and sponsors, we consider golf as a thriving discipline. The appeal may come from the fancy and high-end associations, yet this has not always been the case. Whether you enjoy playing golf yourself or not, betting on this highly profitable sport is also a great way to participate. Find our brief summary on how golf evolved!

The evolution of golf: the origins

There are many sources available on the first-ever golf-like plays that history recorded. Some say, the earliest games date back to the 1200s, others put it a hundred years later. In any case, golf is quite historical and has evolved a lot over time. The general consensus states that modern golf developed in Scotland from the Middle Ages Onwards. However, international popularity only came in the 19th century, when it spread to the rest of the United Kingdom and overall in the British Empire. As a result, gold made its way to the United States as well, where it currently enjoys great popularity. The way we play the modern game is hence a Scottish invention, at least according to the general agreement. The evolution of golf, however, has been influenced by other golf-like games and adapted new features later on.

Modern-day golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland.. In those early days, players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club. Interestingly, King James II hated all the fun because it interfered with wartime. However, it became much more popular at the time of King James IV, as he also hired a bowmaker to make him his own set of clubs. In 1752, St. Andrews became known as the birthplace of modern golf. A famous clubhouse called the Royal and Ancient Golf Club came up with the rules and promoted golf as a proper sport.

The evolution of golf: Late 19th century bloom

The evolution of golf really started to kick-off in the late 19th century. In large part, this was due to the Industrial Revolution. The creation and development of the Scottish railway system allowed English tourists to take the train to Scotland for golf trips and holidays. Later on, golf began to spread across the rest of the British Isles. In 1864 the golf course at the resort of Westward Ho! became the first new club in England. In the following year, London Scottish Golf Club was founded on Wimbledon Common. In 1880 England had 12 courses, rising to 50 in 1887 and over 1000 by 1914.

What about the rest of the world?

Historians believe that early versions of golf arose in America between 1650 and 1660 in upstate New York. These early versions of the game began to rise in prevalence and popularity closer to the 1770s in British and Scottish communities in New York City, the Carolinas, in towns such as Pinehurst, and Charleston, and Savannah, Georgia. All of which had golf clubs and active golfing communities. This popularity of the game died down around the War of 1812 but made its final, major resurgence in America in the 1880s. By December of 1894, the United States Golf Association was established, and by 1895, the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the U.S. Women’s Amateur golf tournaments were first contested (Source: Golf.com). The evolution of golf both in Europe and America counts a number of famous competitions established.

Major golf championships

Today, there are a great variety of golf championships. Both in the UK and US golf has great popularity amongst players and also bettors. Online gambling sites in the UK  list golf as a top sporting event you can wager on. Following major golf championships allow you to pick your preferred events to bet on. As the evolution of golf reached a high-society activity, we distinguish golf championships mostly based on prize money. In these terms, we should mention the British Open, PGA Championship,  Masters and the U.S. Open. Just to illustrate, all these competitions award the winner around $1.44 million. Find featured events and odds on Bet365 Sportsbook, one of the best golf betting sites in the United Kingdom.

The evolution of golf and high society

When we imagine playing golf, most of us has a vivid picture in our heads where old rich people in white clothes trying to hit a ball into a hole. The reasons we might think golf is an elitist sport are fairly valid. It has been described as “gentlemen’s sport”. But we might ask the question, how it evolved this way. Although this stereotype is not completely true, some connotations with golf include a higher socio-economic status.

Golf club memberships are fairly expensive, not to mention the proper equipment. The maintenance of golf courts require a lot of time and money, hence the higher prices of joining a club. In the US, golf is closely associated with country clubs. In this case, members did need a certain status and connection to participate that also required money. However, today golf is becoming more and more inclusive and accessible. Moreover, people who enjoy golf have the opportunity to bet, not only offline but on online sportsbook sites in the UK. In fact, being a traditional British game, golf betting has a historical story as well.

When did we start betting on golf?

From the onset of the modern-day game, betting on golf was a popular and in fact encouraged social activity. It also became a burgeoning practice and the ones who did not have the means to play it started to bet on it. As modern-day golf became increasingly popular, golf betting also became prominent especially with the introduction of the major championships, mentioned above.

It is safe to say that online betting did a huge favour for golf, as this high-end game was in fact predicted to die out. but on the contrary, betting on golf online made the game popular again, and the industry is still on the rise. Bet365 Sportsbook is a great site to start out betting on golf, may it be specific championships or players. Due to the amount of money that the golf business holds, golf betting is very profitable with the right research. Find our article with useful tips and tricks on golf betting!

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