Do you know how many holes are in a full round of golf?
18 holes, of course! That’s the short & quick answer.
But where did this number come from?
Golf has been around for centuries, and the 18-hole format is relatively new.
In this blog post, we will explore the history of golf and discuss why 18 holes are the standard number of holes in a round.
1. What is golf and where did it come from?
Golf is a sport with a long and rich history. Though its origins are unclear, some sources claim that golf was invented in China (or “made in china”) over 1000 years ago.
Other sources say that golf is thought to have originated on the eastern coast of Scotland near Edinburgh in the 15th Century.
In those early days, players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
As the game evolved, different courses began to emerge, and by the early 18th century, golf was being played on many of the famous links courses that are still in use today.
The popularity of golf continued to grow in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the game being played by people of all ages and skill levels.
Today, golf is enjoyed by millions of people around the world and is considered one of the most popular sports.
So, now that we know a little bit about golf and its history, let’s discuss why 18 holes became the standard number of holes around.
2. Why does a golf course have 18 holes?
The following may sound surprising or even silly, and I agree!
Golf courses had 22 holes up until 1764, a Scottish golfer suggested reducing the number of holes from 22 to 18 because it takes 18 holes to finish a 1/5 of a Scotch! And shockingly enough, this number was adopted and slowly started to become the standard on other courses.
Not all courses immediately followed the 18 hole format, in fact in 1851, almost 90 years later, the Prestwick Golf Club opened its 12 hole course, it added additional 8 holes later when 18 became the standard.
Andy Starr is a golf writer with Apple Mountain Golf.
He’s been playing the game for more than 10 years and has a passion for it.
Andy also enjoys reviewing golf shoes and other equipment, which he posts on his blog.
When he’s not writing or playing golf, Andy can be found spending time with his wife and two young children.
When he was just out of college, he decided to turn his passion for the sport into a career and began writing about golf for Apple Mountain Golf.
Since then, Starr has become one of the most respected golf writers in the industry.
He has a gift for making complex topics easy to understand, and his articles are always filled with insights and tips that can help readers improve their game.
In addition to his work as a writer, Starr is also a highly regarded golf instructor.
He has taught at some of the biggest clubs in the country, and his students have gone on to win championships at all levels.
Whether he’s teaching or writing,
Blog: https://applemountaingolf.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/golfapplemnt