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The general theory is that Golf developed in Scotland Today, the game of golf is in full swing around the world.
during the Middle Ages. There is evidence from Ireland’s first golf course was the Royal Curragh which
Holland in 1261, however, when Flemish poet Jacob van dates back to 1856. Ireland ‘s Golfing Union, dating to
Maerlant’s Boeck Merlijn mentions a ball game “mit ener 1891, is the oldest in the world.
coluen” (with a “colf/kolf ” [club]). This is the earliest Today you can find courses in every county and almost
known mention in the Dutch language of the game of every town in Ireland. As you make your way along the
“colf/kolf ” - as it was known in the Low Countries. Wild Atlantic you can enjoy the fresh sea air and scenic
The council of Brussels banned the game of colf in 1360: surroundings as you tee off.
“... wie met colven tsolt es om twintich scell’ oft op hare With a nickname like “The Emerald Isle,” it’s little
overste cleet ..!.” (he who plays at colf pays a fine of 20 surprise that Ireland’s golf courses are just as green and
shillings or his overcoat will be confiscated!). gorgeous as they were when the sport first came from
In 1389, the regent Albrecht offered the citizens of across the North Channel.
Haarlem a field called ‘De Baen’ (the course) to be used
exclusively for playing games – especially colf – because The McDonald Brothers playing golf
these were too dangerous within the city walls. Thus one
can say, came the precursor to today’s golf courses.
One of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, notes that
while stick and ball games have been around for many
centuries. For the Scots, golf as we know it today, played
over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland. The word
golf, or in Scots gowf , is usually thought to be a Scots
alteration of Dutch “colf ” or “colve” meaning “stick,
“club”, “bat”.
In a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament, an edict was
issued by King James II of Scotland prohibiting the
playing of the games of gowf and football as these were a
distraction from archery practice for military purposes –
this is the first known documented reference to Golf.
What a colourful history!
Doonbeg Golf Course
30
during the Middle Ages. There is evidence from Ireland’s first golf course was the Royal Curragh which
Holland in 1261, however, when Flemish poet Jacob van dates back to 1856. Ireland ‘s Golfing Union, dating to
Maerlant’s Boeck Merlijn mentions a ball game “mit ener 1891, is the oldest in the world.
coluen” (with a “colf/kolf ” [club]). This is the earliest Today you can find courses in every county and almost
known mention in the Dutch language of the game of every town in Ireland. As you make your way along the
“colf/kolf ” - as it was known in the Low Countries. Wild Atlantic you can enjoy the fresh sea air and scenic
The council of Brussels banned the game of colf in 1360: surroundings as you tee off.
“... wie met colven tsolt es om twintich scell’ oft op hare With a nickname like “The Emerald Isle,” it’s little
overste cleet ..!.” (he who plays at colf pays a fine of 20 surprise that Ireland’s golf courses are just as green and
shillings or his overcoat will be confiscated!). gorgeous as they were when the sport first came from
In 1389, the regent Albrecht offered the citizens of across the North Channel.
Haarlem a field called ‘De Baen’ (the course) to be used
exclusively for playing games – especially colf – because The McDonald Brothers playing golf
these were too dangerous within the city walls. Thus one
can say, came the precursor to today’s golf courses.
One of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, notes that
while stick and ball games have been around for many
centuries. For the Scots, golf as we know it today, played
over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland. The word
golf, or in Scots gowf , is usually thought to be a Scots
alteration of Dutch “colf ” or “colve” meaning “stick,
“club”, “bat”.
In a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament, an edict was
issued by King James II of Scotland prohibiting the
playing of the games of gowf and football as these were a
distraction from archery practice for military purposes –
this is the first known documented reference to Golf.
What a colourful history!
Doonbeg Golf Course
30
