Who invented Golf? The Scottish or the Chinese?

[Ayin McFye]

I found this video today talking about how it's possible that the Chinese actually invented golf. Courtesy of the History Channel.

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=...rom=im_m_25-34

They also mention the Dutch briefly but don't elaborate on the theory. I just thought I'd share this with everyone.

Cheers!

[beloitpiper]

Crap, I can't watch the video in Northern Ireland...

[Arizona Scot]

Kris watched the video, an interesting theory but what they are showing looks more like croquette than golf. In Scotland is where they actually had holes in the ground and each course was set up differently. It is possible for similar things to develop in different parts of the world at about the same time. Or even centurys apart, without prior knowledge of the other.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It is generally conceded that the earliest form of golf (as we know it) was brought to Scotland from the Netherlands.

[Carolina Kiltman]

According to J.R.R. Tolkein, it was a hobbit, Bullroarer Baggins, who, when riding into battle with a war club, hit his opponent's head so hard, he knocked the head off its owner's shoulders, whereupon it rolled across the field and down a gopher hole. . . . thus inventing the game of golf. I like that one better. Lots more fun!

[sydnie7]

According to J.R.R. Tolkein, it was a hobbit, Bullroarer Baggins, who, when riding into battle with a war club, hit his opponent's head so hard, he knocked the head off its owner's shoulders, whereupon it rolled across the field and down a gopher hole. . . . thus inventing the game of golf. I like that one better. Lots more fun!

Pretty much the way I felt about the game, back when my wrists (and elbows, and back, and . . .) allowed me to play!

The iguana hazards in Puerto Vallarta were my most memorable course

[12stones]

I thought Al Gore invented golf...

[Bugbear]

Guess the real question is who invented the Scottish... And who invented the Chinese for that matter?

[KiltedSkeleton]

Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden?

[sirdaniel1975]

I heard a Scottish Historian say once it comes form an old form of punishment for a petty crime in Scotland. The petty criminal was to hit a stone with a stick from one glen to the next. Where this rumor comes from, I don't know. Personally I think it is a made up story from someone who has no like for the sport. I'm not fond of the sport myself, but I will give it much credit being one of the many things associated with Scotland. It's just another piece of evidence how much a positive effect the Scots have had on the world.