Golf Information

Golf is a hugely popular sport the world over, with great passion for the game shared by casual golfers and tour professionals alike. Reasons for playing golf vary from player to player: Some play golf to challenge themselves mentally and physically, while others enjoy the exercise, fresh air, the social aspect, and the natural beauty that often surrounds the courses. Some golfers even learn to play golf for business reasons, to close deals, generate leads, and network. It's often said that what happens in the boardroom simply confirms what has already happened on the golf course.

The History of Golf

The history of golf stretches back more than nine hundred years, making golf one of the oldest sports still played today. It's believed that the game as we know it originated from Scotland in the early 1100's, though previous records have also been found of the game being played around the same time in the Netherlands and China. As a professional sport, golf was traditionally dominated by British players, but since World War One, most professional players have come from the United States. This is not surprising considering the game's popularity in the US. From the estimated 35,000 golf courses worldwide, nearly half are located in the United States.

Although the main golf rules, and mechanics of how to play golf, have remained the same over time, technology and materials used for golf equipment have changed dramatically. Today, there are a huge variety of golf clubs, balls, clothing, and accessories available which actually claim to assist play, and can be bought in a range of prices to suit every level of golfer, from amateur up to professional.

Beautiful Golf Courses

In the last decade, the trend has moved towards golfing holidays, and many golf courses today feature exclusive resorts for visitors looking to combine their holiday with the game of golf. UK and Ireland golf courses are some of the oldest, most prestigious and best-known in the world, with many of the highest-profile tournaments held annually at golf courses in this region. Besides their rich history, the UK and Ireland offer.