It's an easy game. Everyone can learn to play golf. Once a player has mastered the grip and the stance, all he has to bear in mind, during the two-second interval it takes to swing the club, is to keep his left elbow pointed toward the left hip and his right arm loose and closer to the body than the left ... and take the club past his right knee ... and then the wrists at just the right instant while the left arm is still travelling straight back from the ball and the right arm stays glued to the body ... the hips come around in a perfect circle and meanwhile the weight must be 60 percent on the right foot and 40 percent on the left foot .................. Now transfer the weight 60 percent to the left foot and 40 percent to the right foot ... watch out for the left arm which must be extended ................. and don't let it get too loose or you'll smother the shot ... and don't break the wrists soon. Now keep you head very still and hit the ball ... That's all there is to it.

 

 

What is the origin of Golf?
While the modern game of golf originated in 15th-century Scotland, the game's ancient origins are unclear and much debated. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, in which participants used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. One theory asserts that paganica spread throughout Europe as the Romans conquered most of the continent, during the first century BC, and eventually evolved into the modern game.

 

The modern game originated in Scotland, where the first written record of golf is James II's banning of the game in 1457, as an unwelcome distraction to learning archery. James IV lifted the ban in 1502 when he became a golfer himself, with golf clubs first recorded in 1503-1504: "For golf clubbes and balles to the King that he play it with".

 

To many golfers, the Old Course at St Andrews, a links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage. In 1764, the standard 18-hole golf course was created at St Andrews when members modified the course from 22 to 18 holes.

 

 Every round of golf is based on playing a number of holes in a given order. A "round" typically consists of 18 holes that are played in the order determined by the course layout. Each hole is played once in the round on a standard course of 18 holes; on a nine-hole course, players may play a "short game" playing each hole once, or a "full round" by playing each hole twice. The game can be played by any number of people. Though a typical group playing will have 1, 2, 3 or 4 people playing the round. The typical amount of time required for pace of play for a 9-hole round is two hours and four hours for an 18-hole round.

 

 The rules of golf are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by The R&A, spun off in 2004 from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded 1754), and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The
underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As stated on the back cover of the official rule book:

 

Click here for a quick guide to the rules of golf

 

In addition to the officially printed rules, golfers also abide by a set of guidelines called golf etiquette. Etiquette guidelines cover matters such as safety, fairness, pace of play, and a player's obligation to contribute to the care of the course. Though there are no penalties for breach of etiquette rules, players generally follow the rules of golf etiquette in an effort to improve everyone's playing experience.