Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Origin Of Golf

golf is a sport in which individual players or teams of players strike a ball into a hole using several types of clubs. golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed, standardized playing field or area; defined in the Rules of golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.

golf

golf is a very old game of which the exact origins are unclear. golf is played in an area of land designated a golf course. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in A. The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". But there is an even earlier reference to the game of golf and it is believed to have happened in 1452 when King James II banned the game because it kept his subjects from their archery practice.

The origin of golf is open to debate as to being Chinese, Dutch or Scottish. However, the most accepted golf history theory is that this sport originated from Scotland in the 1100s. A game somewhat similar to golf was first mentioned in Dōngxuān Records (Chinese: 東軒錄), a Chinese book of 11th Century. However, modern golf is considered to be a Scottish invention, as the game was mentioned in two 15th century laws prohibiting the playing of the game of gowf. Some scholars have suggested that this refers to another game which is more akin to modern shinty, hurling or field hockey than golf.

golf

The word golf derives from the Dutch kolf meaning stick, club or bat. There are reports of even earlier accounts of golf from continental Europe. The oldest playing golf course in the world is The Old Links at Musselburgh Racecourse. Evidence has shown that golf was played on Musselburgh Links in 1672 although Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played there in 1567. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews, in Fife, established a customary route through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The major changes in equipment since the 19th century have been better mowers, especially for the greens, better golf ball designs, using rubber and man-made materials since about 1900, and the introduction of the metal shaft beginning in the 1930s. Also in the 1930s the wooden golf tee was invented.

In 2005 Golf digest calculated that there were nearly 32,000 golf courses in the world, approximately half of them in the United States. The countries with most golf courses in relation to population, starting with the best endowed were: Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Ireland, northern Ireland, Canada, wales, United States, Sweden, and England (countries with fewer than 500,000 people were excluded).

James Young Clark is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.AGolfersParadise.com. He provides more information about golf and golf issues that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Getting Away to Florida for a Weekend

Opportunities for getting away to florida for a weekend abound given cheap flights and incredible weather. Here is a primer on potential getaways that might interest you.

Getting Away to florida for a Weekend

While many people plan to come to florida for a week or even two, on vacation; not everyone has that long to spend away from home. If you live in the South, or even if you just want to fly somewhere for a short trip, florida offers people a lot to do. Getting away to florida can be the perfect little bit of relaxation for travelers looking to spend only a few days away.

one of the best spots is Coral Gables. Located in southern part of florida, this town offers a quaint shopping and vacation atmosphere complete with a free trolley that takes its passengers around the town for shopping and eating.

The must-stay spot in Coral Gables is The Biltmore, a hotel built in 1926 that has all the opulence and flair of that time period. Home to the country's largest swimming pool (700,000 gallons), this resort managed to survive the hard times it went through in the 1930's and has been a landmark ever since. The Biltmore comes complete with its own tales of the famous (and infamous) people who have stayed there. The presence of a top notch spa, as well as a couple of luxury restaurants, makes this one of the best florida escapes.

If you would prefer to take one of the florida weekend escapes available in other parts of the state, how about traveling to the florida Keys? Well known for their relaxing, tropical atmosphere, the Keys make a perfect stop for your weekend.

The Casa Key West is located on Key West, the largest city in the florida Keys. This bed and breakfast only offers seven rooms, so you will be sure to get the seclusion and personal service you want for your getaway. The Casa Key West offers amenities such as luxury linens, towels and toiletries, and their poolside massage service can be a must-have for your relaxing weekend. Additionally, the food here is top notch, with an expanded continental breakfast served under a canopy in their outdoor kitchen. The location of this resort is also great. It is in the Old Town section, where quiet neighborhoods are the norm. Romance packages are also available, if you choose to expand your stay into four nights or more.

No matter which area of the state you choose for your florida escape, you will be sure to have a great time with plenty to see and do. Many airlines offer discount rates to florida with short notice, so it's a great pick for that spur-of-the moment weekend trip.

Richard Rspad is with http://www.resortspadestinations.com - information on spa resorts.

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