| At first, the game of golf was played as an | | | | how the game was to be played from start to |
| outdoor pastime, perhaps with the stone or ball | | | | finish. One of the first rules he put down was that |
| hit along the ground until it crossed a line or similar | | | | the ball was to be played from within one yard of |
| goal. Eventually a rabbit hole in the ground became | | | | the tee marker. Today, you will still see a |
| the ultimate object. Golf players of old did not | | | | professional golfer bend down to measure how |
| have any guidelines or boundaries. How did golf | | | | close he is to the tee, in order to know whether |
| change into a professional sport? | | | | or not he will play the ball. |
| Follow along and let me tell you a little more about | | | | By the way, the word "tee" comes from the |
| the men who wrote the first rules and how these | | | | Gaelic word "tigh" a term used in the ancient |
| guidelines grew to control the game around the | | | | sport of curling. Golf continues to keep this history |
| world. | | | | and custom alive today. |
| Trial and error | | | | Who plays first |
| At first, of course, there were no hard and fast | | | | Among Forbes' early efforts was the rule that |
| rules. The game was played by trial and error and | | | | the person whose ball lies the longest distance |
| rules were made up according to local custom and | | | | from the hole must play first. More than 300 |
| the type of grounds or "course" the people had. | | | | years later this guideline still governs play on |
| Golf was played by the sea, on sand with hills and | | | | every continent. Measuring, or at least estimating, |
| dips. It was also played on animal paths that | | | | distance plays an important role in golf. |
| covered a broad area. Each place has its own | | | | Who is in charge? |
| unique terrain that needed different guidelines. | | | | Although there have been differences between |
| Though some histories refer to the etiquette and | | | | the two major organizations over the years, the |
| behavior expected from players, a member of | | | | Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the |
| the Gentleman Golfers of Leith is credited with | | | | United States Golf Association oversee golf |
| writing some of the first formal rules. One person | | | | around the world. Therefore, golfers in Japan, |
| helped for the first time to make the rules of golf | | | | California or in Scotland will be playing golf under |
| consistent. | | | | the same rules and are able to enjoy competition |
| Duncan Forbes | | | | and good sportsmanship. |
| This Leith member made an effort to describe | | | | |