Golf is a relatively popular sport in the United States with about 23 million active players.
Since you’re reading this post, we’re guessing that you count yourself as part of that group of enthusiasts. Either that or you’re just a sucker for fun facts which we can’t fault you for.
Below, we break down seven facts about golf that we think are funny, generally unknown and downright interesting.
1. The French Father the Word Caddie
Have you ever wondered where the word caddie came from in the game of golf? Probably not.
But in case you have, it turns out that the French are behind the word used to describe that guy/gal who lugs your heavy clubs around.
The French have the word, “cadet”, which is pronounced ca-day. It means “youngest child” and since people low on the totem pole used to be stuck with carrying clubs, the word caddie was born!
2. Golf Balls Love Warm Weather
It turns out that golf balls love warm weather just as much as you do! The warmer the weather is, the less dense air is which means that golf balls will travel much further in sunny Florida than they will in North Dakota.
3. Birds Hate Golf
You may already know that birds hate golf since they’ll occasionally get knocked out of the air by a stray ball. What you probably don’t know is that birds used to hate golf even more than they do today!
In the early days of golf, balls were made out of rolled-up chicken and goose feathers wrapped in leather. Fortunately for birds, that practice ended when golf balls started being crafted out of wood and then transitioned into the material used today.
4. Golf Is Out of This World… Literally
One of the most interesting facts about golf that we’ve ever come across is that golf is one of the only sports that have ever been played on the moon! We can only imagine how much of a confidence builder it would be to hit a golf ball in zero gravity and watch it fly forever!
5. Tees Put Sand Out of Business
Before golf tees were invented, golfers used to hit their balls off of piles of sand. Don’t feel too sad about sand losing its job to tees though. Sand still has the very important job of making you furious when you accidentally hit your balls into one of its “traps”.
6. There’s No Better Place to Get Your Steps in Than on a Golf Course
Most people will drive around a large golf course. Those that don’t will enjoy a 4-mile walk, on average, when playing 19 holes.
Talk about getting those steps in!
7. Golf Hails From Europe
It might be obvious that golf hails from Europe given those high-fashion golf gloves so many professionals sport. In case you didn’t know though, golf is from Scotland and was invented in the 1400s.
Reading Facts About Golf Is Only a Fraction As Fun As Playing the Sport
Now that you’ve got your fill of facts about golf, get out there and start playing the sport. As much fun as reading facts is, believe us when we say that playing golf is a whole lot more rewarding.
For more entertaining reads on all things sports, feel free to browse additional content on our blog!