Archive for July 21, 2009
Anyone for…Golf? Guide to the best places to play
It’s hard to think of many sports and games that have the universal appeal of Golf. From the very young to the very old, if you can lift a golf club, you can enjoy a game of golf! Suchis the popularity of golf that there are golf clubs and golf courses in towns and cities all over the UK and the world. The origin of golf is ancient – some fondly believe that at the dawn of mankind, when homo erectus first realised weapons were necessary to hunt and kill the larger animals around him, men and boys would practise striking small stones with their sticks. Certainly it is known that the in the first century BC, Romans played a game called Paganica, using a bent stick to hit a leather ball, and they doubtless spread this game as they made their way through Europe. In the middle ages, the Chinese had a similar game called Chuiwan. The Celts played Cambuca and the French, Chambot. The Persians played Chaugan and the Dutch played Kolven – it seems that all over the world, people invented games where balls were hit with sticks. The most commonly accepted origin of the modern game of golf is that it evolved in Scotland from around the 12th century, when shepherds amused themselves by knocking stones into rabbit-holes on the site where today stands the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Most golf clubs have trainers, or Pros, who will be only too happy to teach newcomers how to play their favourite sport, and given that most golf courses are situated in pleasant and scenic locations, even if you turn out not to be a new Tiger Woods, working your way around a golf course is not only a pleasant way of passing the time, but also a healthy activity. Unlike any other sport, golf is not played on a pre-defined pitch or field with marked boundaries (think football pitches, or tennis courts), but rather on a golf course, and the terrain layout of each golf course is unique, which makes visiting new golf clubs and courses an interesting challenge to players. And at the end of a hearty game, there is always the appealing 19th hole where golfers can take their ease, discuss their games, dissect professional tournaments and raise a glass of good cheer. The best guide to Golf Courses around the UK and Ireland is FHG’s : The Golf Guide where to Play, where to Stay. Catering for all standards of golfer, it includes details of a variety of courses and driving ranges such as seaside links, parkland, moorland, flat and hilly, each with its own challenges and pleasures. With The Golf Guide, it’s possible to plan a golfing tour taking in a several different courses, using the excellent accommodation recommended throughout the guide. Although the primary focus is the UK, there is also information on golf in far-flung places such as Thailand. Indeed, The Golf Guide where to Play, where to Stay is a must for the travelling golfer! FHG’s The Golf Guide where to Play, where to Stay is available from Maps International.
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Anyone for…Golf? Guide to the best places to play
