History Of Golf Essay, Research Paper
In 1788, one of the greatest days in sports, the first golf course was built
in Scotland. Scotland is considered to be the birthplace of golf. The game of
golf began its destiny in time towards becoming popular around the world. This
weird and complex game did not reach the United States until 1844, in New York,
where the first golf course was built. Some where in time the game of golf lost
its prestige in the United States. The professionals are mostly the only ones
that treat this game how it should be treated. Some Americans have no respect
and have no idea what they are doing to the game. The Scottish are very
different because they understand and treat the game how it should be treated,
with prestige and etiquette. Golfers that have taken up the game in the states
just don’t have the same attitude towards the game. I wish people would realize
how the game is supposed to be played and treated.
I think one of the main reasons golf is taken more serious in Scotland is
because it originated there and everyone was taught to play it the correct way.
In Scotland, you will never see anyone throwing a club or damaging the turf.
They always take great care of the course because they respect it. They know how
rude it is to act like that and they are all about etiquette. Everyone knows
this is a "gentleman’s game", as many people have called it. They
literally take it to heart, it is so impressive. When the Scottish play the game
they follow the rules very strictly. They never touch the ball no matter how
difficult or unlucky spot it ends up in. If it gets buried in the high grass or
caught behind a tree, they won’t move it. They "play it where it
lies", as it is said. They never bend the rules or shave strokes. They are
completely honest with themselves and others. This type of behavior makes the
game so much more fair and enjoyable because they don’t cheat other people or
themselves. They take what they get and realize that it is a part of golf.
The Americans, on the other hand, are a different story. For the most part
they are totally opposite from the Scottish. I say most people because the
professionals and some others understand and respect the game because they have
been taught or brought up correctly. Too many people want to throw clubs and
damage the turf. It shows no respect and it makes them look like a fool.
Etiquette is a major part of golf and not enough people display it. The
Americans also don’t like to follow the rules. They take the easy way out, to
try to get an advantage. When you do that you are beating no one but your self.
They are always moving the ball, trying to get the best possible spot. Don’t
touch it, play it where it lies, that’s what this games is all about. They are
always bending the rules some way or shaving strokes. The worst part is they
don’t think it is cheating, they think it is okay. The Americans need to be more
honest because in the long run it will help them and their golf game so much
more. I am a perfect example of why this is true. I used to be a typical
American and play like everyone else does. I didn’t realize this until one day
when my dad caught me cheating when I was a freshman in high school. I would’ve
rather got caught cheating by anyone else than my own father. It made me realize
how golf is supposed to be played, with etiquette and honesty.
In conclusion I want everyone to realize how different these two cultures act
because sometimes Americans think we know it all and do everything the right
way. I am very thankful for the experience that I was in with my father. It made
me realize how everyone around me was just as foolish as I was. Us Americans
could learn a lot from the Scottish people. One of my dreams has always been to
play golf in Scotland. When I arrived here at Butler I learned that once every
four years the golf team takes a summer trip to Scotland to play golf for two
weeks. I will definitely make sure that I qualify to go on that trip.