The game of golf is a competition sport played with precision by using a club to hit balls into a series of holes with as few strokes as possible. One of few ball games played on a non standardized playing area golf is played on course arranged with nine or eighteen holes each of which must contain a tee box set off by two markers showing the bounds from which each player must begin, and a putting green consisting of the actual hole.
In-between the tee box and the putting green are various types of standardized terrain as hazards, rough and fairway. For each golf course, every hole is unique in its design and layout. Moreover the grass levels on a golf course are also varied for increased difficulty as well as allow for putting.
Golf is played among players by competing for the lowest number of strokes known as stroke play or for the most individual holes won, halved or lost, known as match play. Though variations of match play such as “skins” have been frequently played during televised events, at all levels of play the stroke game is the most played.
Interesting Facts about Golf
▪ Although modern golf may have began in 15th century Scotland, the ancient origin of the game is still the subject of much debate. However there are some historians who will attest that the game traces back to the Roman game paganica where players would use a stick to hit a ball stuffed with feathers. It is theorized that pagancia which was widely played throughout Europe during the first century BC later evolved into the game of golf played today. Many have cited the game of chuiwan which dates back to as far as between the eighth and fourteenth century ancient China as the precursor to modern golf. Other historically played games which may have developed into the game of modern golf include, the game of cambucha played in England, the Persian game of chaugan, and kolven which was played annually in Loenen, Netherlands.
▪ The first documented report of the game played was in 1457 Scotland when the game was banned by James II as an unwanted distraction to learning archery. In 1502 the ban on the game was lifted by James IV who had gotten himself a set of golf clubs between 1503 to 1504. One of the world’s oldest golf courses, the Old Course at St Andrews, a public course in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland is considered a site of expedition and the “home of golf” to many golfers.
▪ The first record of a standardized 18 hole golf course was in 1764 at St Andrews when members modified the existing holes from 22 to 18 holes.
▪ The Old Golf Course in Musselburgh Links, East Lothian, Scotland is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest golf course. Musselburgh Links is today publicly owned and managed by the East Lothian council area of Scotland and has 9 holes and is a par 34. Evidence suggests that the game of golf was played there as early as 1672 and it is believed that in 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots may have even played there. Musselburgh is one of three golf courses known for staging the oldest of four major championships in golf, the British Open during the 1870s and the 1880s.
▪ First played in 1860 at the Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, the Open Championship is the first major and oldest golf tournament in existence. It is noteworthy that the earliest majors of the Open Championship were won by Scottish golfers.
▪ In 1888 golf was first demonstrated in the United States by two Scotsmen from Dunfermline, John Reid and Robert Lockhart who began by setting up a hole in an orchard. This led to John Reid that year founding the first golf club in the United States, the St. Andrews Golf Club in Yonkers, New York.
▪ In 1774 the oldest remaining rules of the game were collated for the Company of Gentlemen Golfer, subsequently renamed The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which played at Leith Links, Edinburgh, Scotland. Today the rules of the game are standardized produced and interpreted jointly by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities, the United States Golf Association (USGA). On the back cover of the official golf rule book is written … “Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair”.
▪ Golf clubs are traditionally characterized into three basic types, Woods, Irons and Putters, with a fourth class known as hybrids which evolved from a combination of Woods and Irons. Hybrids have generally been used by golfers as a replacement for low-lofted irons for offering a similar distance yet allowing a higher angle of launch while more forgiving.
▪ Each golfer during a stipulated round is allowed a maximum of fourteen clubs in their bag. Although each club must be constructed in accordance with and “conforming” to the set regulations as stated within the rulebook; the choice of the clubs is left to the player’s discretion. Golfers who violate the rules are generally disqualified.
▪ Although they are usually seen as spherical white balls, golf balls come in various colors and contain minutely pock-marked dimples which are used to reduce aerodynamic drag thus allowing the ball to travel farther.
▪ Golfers are known for wearing shoes (golf shoes) with plastic or metal spikes which are used to increase traction allowing the golfer to drive longer and gain more accurate shots.
▪ Golf’s major championships include four annual men’s tournaments; The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
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Pebble Beach Golf Links Hole 1 Live Webcam
Known for its amazing oceanfront location and world class golf course, the Pebble Beach Resort presents a live webcam of its Legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links Hole 1.
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The St. Andrew Links golf webcam
The St. Andrew Links golf webcam allows online viewers to experience the Swailcan Bridge, and other historic spots on the world famous St. Andrew Links by selecting from nine available webcams.
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These golf course webcams allow you to visit your favorite golf courses around the world virtually. Also useful to check weather conditions or see how busy a golf course is before you hit the greens.
Asolo Golf Club Webcam
This golf course cam is located at the Asolo Golf Club in Cavaso del Tomba Italy. Gives you a nice view of the green and fairway as well as patio of the clubhouse. Includes current time and temperature.
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Hotel Chiemgauer Hof Webcam
This webcam is located at Best Western Hotel Chiemgauer Hof in Inzell Germany and overlooks a golf course. Webcam updates once a minute. You can also see archived views from the day.
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Redwoods Golf Course Webcam
This golf course webcam is located on the 18th hole at the Redwoods Golf Course in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. Image updates every few seconds.
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Pro Mini Golf Webcam
This is an excellent webcam located at a Pro Mini Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, home to the PGA of miniature golf and Hawaiian Rumble and Hawaiian Village courses. This is a Live view – AXIS 211W Network Camera.
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Meadow Lakes Golf Course Webcam
This golf course webcam is located at Meadow Lakes Golf Course in Prineville, Oregon. Watch people playing golf, or driving in golf carts as well as coming and going from the clubhouse.
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Pebble Beach Golf Course Cams
This site has three live golf webcams from Pebble Beach Resorts in California. Watch from the 18th green, first tee or see a view from the lodge.
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Avalon Golf Club Webcam
This golf course webcam gives a live view from Avalong Golf Club in New Jersey. Watch people teeing off on this Live view – AXIS 210 Network Camera.
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Golf Gastein Webcam
Watch people playing golf at Gastein Golf Course near Salzburg, Austria. You can also get a nice view of the mountains in the background.
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USGA 111th US Open Golf Course Webcam
This site has high quality streaming video and audio where you can watch the 111th U.S. Open The Official Site of the 111th U.S. Open golf game. It will likely be the location where you can watch the 112th and so on so bookmark it!
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