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