Words to Golf by.

The game of golf is lesson in history. Golf in it’s most recognized form originated in Scotland and was first referenced in a parliamentary decree by King James II in 1457, who declared that "fute-ball and Golfe be utterly cryit doune, and nocht usit !". He was worried that these two sports were keeping his subjects away from archery practices which was required to repel the frequent English incursions. However, the word "golf" actually comes from the Dutch word kolf, for club thus supporting a Dutch claim to the invention of the game.
The Dutch game Kolf has described in paintings and written documents dated well before the decree by King James II, but the game described was much different that the golf that was played in Scotland. Kolf involved swatting a small disk or ball with sticks that had curved ends. The game was depicted in many paintings as being played on an icy pond, and the goal was surface level as opposed to being a hole in the ground. It seems like this kolf game is also a precursor to hockey. It seems golf and hockey have more in common than Happy Gilmore. (scary isn’t it). This may also explain why hockey players are often very good golfers, however bad their etiquette may be. Most hockey players have a winning record when it comes to golf. Come on, would anyone be crazy enough to actually beat a short tempered toothless 250-lb defensemen and risk certain bodily injury and possible death? I think not
Back in Scotland, the Scots probably took notice of the game that the Dutchmen were playing, and made a few modifications. The most notable change was the idea of getting the ball into a hole in the ground rather than into a surface level goal. They also started hitting the ball in the air rather than just rolling it along the ground. A few subtle changes and we have what we now refer to a the game of Golf. It may have origins in Holland, but it was perfected in Scotland.
So why are there 18 holes in a round of golf? This is also due the influence of the Scots. Specifically, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, is to blame for this choice. In fact Scots were golfing for nearly 200 years before this "official" number was used. During this time period, courses would vary between 5 and 25 holes, depending on how much land was available. Originally St. Andrews had 22 holes. Golfers would play out in a straight line for 11 straight holes, and then start playing those holes again, in reverse order, hence the double greens. In 1764, the management of St. Andrews decided that they didn’t like the first two holes, and chose to remove them leaving them with 18 holes. During this time period The Society of St. Andrews became the governing force of the rules and regulations throughout Scotland. Since St. Andrews had 18 holes, every other course decided that was how many holes they needed to have. It’s been that way ever since, 18 holes per round. Thank You St. Andrews.
Some other interesting terms:
Caddie:
From the French term "cadet", a young military underling. The Queen of Scots, Mary, probably the first woman golfer, had a young cadet carry her clubs and when she would call him, cadet would come out in French as cah-day. Over the years cadet became caddie which eventually became EZ-GO.
Tee:
This one is derived from the Greek letter T, or Tau, which was once used the same way we now use X, to display a starting point, (i.e. X marks the spot)
Mulligan:
The Term Mulligan is an unusual one. Like many golf terms it is steeped in controversy. Just where exactly did this term originate? Is it a reference to a person, a combination of words, or is it derivative of another language.
On proposed explanation is that in the late 1920s, a Canadian Golfer, David Mulligan, played golf with a group of friends at the St. Lambert Country Club, outside Montreal. David being the only golfer with a car, ended up driving everyone to the course. The drive took him over many rough roads and a really bumpy bridge found at the entrance to the course. Due the rough driving conditions, Mulligan hands were in pretty bad shape by the time the trip was over. His "buddies" we’re nice enough to give him and extra drive off the first tee, but at what cost. In many ways Mulligan is to Golf, what Munson is to Bowling, a joke.
Many other clubs have claimed to also have a golfer that the term is based on, either mulligan or Mel Egan, etc. who would hit another shot whenever he could think of a good excuse to justify it. Another theory is that a group of golfers all hit bad tee shots and declared that they would "hit ‘em all again"
There are countless other interesting stories concerning the origins of many of today’s popular golf terms. Our own Glossary is chocked full of historical terms and tidbits of history. There are so many terms it ‘Baffles" the mind.