Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The Origin Of Golf

golf is a sport in which individual players or teams of players strike a ball into a hole using several types of clubs. golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed, standardized playing field or area; defined in the Rules of golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.

Golf

Golf is a very old game of which the exact origins are unclear. Golf is played in an area of land designated a golf course. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield links, in Edinburgh, scotland, in A. The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". But there is an even earlier reference to the game of golf and it is believed to have happened in 1452 when king James II banned the game because it kept his subjects from their archery practice.

The origin of golf is open to debate as to being Chinese, Dutch or Scottish. However, the most accepted golf history theory is that this sport originated from scotland in the 1100s. A game somewhat similar to golf was first mentioned in Dōngxuān Records (Chinese: 東軒錄), a Chinese book of 11th century. However, modern golf is considered to be a Scottish invention, as the game was mentioned in two 15th century laws prohibiting the playing of the game of gowf. Some scholars have suggested that this refers to another game which is more akin to modern shinty, hurling or field hockey than golf.

Golf

The word golf derives from the Dutch kolf meaning stick, club or bat. There are reports of even earlier accounts of golf from continental Europe. The oldest playing golf course in the world is The old links at Musselburgh Racecourse. Evidence has shown that golf was played on Musselburgh links in 1672 although Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played there in 1567. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews, in Fife, established a customary route through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The major changes in equipment since the 19th century have been better mowers, especially for the greens, better golf ball designs, using rubber and man-made materials since about 1900, and the introduction of the metal shaft beginning in the 1930s. Also in the 1930s the wooden golf tee was invented.

In 2005 Golf Digest calculated that there were nearly 32,000 golf courses in the world, approximately half of them in the United States. The countries with most golf courses in relation to population, starting with the best endowed were: scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada, wales, United States, Sweden, and England (countries with fewer than 500,000 people were excluded).

James Young Clark is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.AGolfersParadise.com. He provides more information about golf and golf issues that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Fun With Your Baby on Your Disney World Vacation

As florida residents, my family has visited disney world many times through the years. My husband and I have always avoided bringing a baby along because of the extra hassle involved (nursing, bottles, diapers, etc.). The baby meant extra work for us and was too young to get much enjoyment from the vacation. We were fortunate to have a doting grandmother or very good friends to take care of our baby. And, since we live close by, the separation was never more than a few days.

However, if you do bring your infant to disney world, dont worry; it is an extremely baby friendly place. There is a baby care center in each park stocked with anything you might need including rocking chairs for nursing. The rest rooms are equipped with changing tables (even most of the mens rooms). Also, they allow a baby swap on the restricted rides so you dont have to stand in line twice (you will need two adults to take turns with the baby and ask an employee at each attraction how to do the swap, it varies).

I have three tips for you if you decide to bring a very young baby to disney world.

1. Take it easy. This is not the time to push yourself from morning to night. Enjoy the calmer pleasures of disney world; dont try to fill a quota of attractions which will stress you and your baby out.

2. Bring your own stroller. The disney rentals are too big for infants. Also make sure your child is protected from the sun with both sunscreen and a canopy. Or consider carrying your small baby in a sling. These are advantageous because strollers are not allowed on most attractions and must be collapsed on busses, monorails, trains, etc., which can be a hassle.

3. Try to place your little one in the path of the disney characters. They make a big fuss over babies which is a lot of fun and makes great picture moments.

Once, we took our youngest child to Disney world when she was only six weeks old. I had some reservations about the trip but she was too young to leave with anyone else and our passes were about to expire. We had a wonderful time and had some special experiences with our little girl. Chip and Dale made a big fuss over her when we ran into them in the magic Kingdom and later, we had a very humorous encounter with Cruella DeVille at MGM Studios. As I walked by with my infant in my arms, Miss DeVille said, Pity its not a puppy; I have no use for babies.

Despite Cruellas comment, everyone at disney world welcomes babies. So, with a little preparation, bring your baby and have a wonderful vacation.

Betsey Rhames (http://www.bestdisneyplans.com) is a florida resident, wife and mother of four. She is a big fan of walt disney world and has been visiting there for the past 30 plus years; first as a teenager and now as a mom.

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