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Golf

Scotland is widely associated as the birthplace of golf; however there is great debate about the earliest derivation of the game. Some historians believe that golf descended from "paganica", played with a feather stuffed ball and a curved stick, a game that the Romans brought with them to Britain. Another idea is that golf was a Dutch game called "het kolven" and there are paintings from the 18th century by Dutch painters showing a game similar to golf being played on ice and land. However, by this time it is believed some form of golf had been played in Scotland for three hundred years.

The name golf may have been derived from the old Scots verb "to gowff" meaning to "strike hard" The earliest known written detail on the subject of golf is from King James II in 1457 who demanded that "fute-ball and golfe be utterly cryed down and not to be used." The King was concerned that his citizens were so involved in leisurely pursuits that they were neglecting the Royal and vital sport of archery, which would protect him from the enemy. It took until 1502, in the reign of King James IV and a Treaty of Perpetual Peace (which didn't last!) with England's King Henry VII before the Scots were allowed to spare the time on such pursuits. King James IV himself played the game at Perth.

Mary Queen of Scots was known to play a round or two and by the end of the 16th century it was noted that people were neglecting attendance at church in order to indulge in their favorite pastime. With the Union of the Crowns in 1603, King James VI and his court took golf to Blackheath in London. By that time he had appointed an Edinburgh bowmaker as royal club-maker.

The first record of a caddie to carry the golf clubs is Andrew Dickson of Edinburgh, in the second half of the 17th century. As a young man he had caddied for the Duke of York - later King James VII. "Caddies" were originally an organized corps of message boys in Edinburgh and other large towns in Scotland.

Modern Golf

The rules of golf were laid down by the Honorable Company of Edinburgh golfers in Leith, which was formed in 1744. The St. Andrews Society adopted these rules and over the next century took over the administration and development of the game. The famous Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is the governing body that continues to set the rules and standards for the world's golfers to this day. The Old Course at St. Andrews, Fife has greens and bunkers created easily around the natural landscape of the seashore. The Royal and Ancient is renowned as the Mecca worldwide for those who love to play golf.

In 1888 a Scott, John Reid of Dunfermline, "imported" his passion for golf to the United States and built his own course at Yonkers, New York. The United States Golf Association was founded in 1894.

With millions of golfers world wide, and more "newbies" every weekend, golf is becoming one of the most popular outdoor activities for people of all ages to participate in. In order to continue to enjoy golf for a lifetime, it is recommended that certain muscle groups be trained in strength and flexibility to decrease the chances of injury. Some of the most often used or stressed muscles in golf are:

quadriceps hamstring hip abductors and adductors gluteal muscles internal and external obliques

spinal erectors latissimus dorsi rhomboids trapezius pectorals

deltoids rotator cuff triceps biceps forearm flexors and extensors

Strength training and flexibility exercises targeting all of the above muscles are essential for competitive/professional players and would benefit the casual player as well. Poor training/exercise could lead to injuries.

The most common injuries in golf involve the back. Most of these injuries are simply muscle or ligament strains that usually improve in just a few weeks with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and some simple stretching and strengthening exercises. Sometimes changing technique and/or equipment can help golfers with chronic (long-term) back pain play despite the injury. The constant bending over as is common in golf, can cause extreme stress on the muscles and joints of the lower back. The use of newer and longer golf clubs can allow the body to remain closer to an upright position and help relieve this stress.

The elbow is the second most commonly injured area in golf. Most elbow pain results from tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an inflammation (swelling) of the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. The lateral tendons allow the elbow to straighten and the wrist to extend. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is an inflammation of the tendons that allow the elbow to bend and the wrist to flex. Treatment consists of rest, ice, and NSAIDS. For chronic cases, cortisone injections may be recommended.