“Terribe” Tommy

photo credit: danperry.com   One of the most colorful members of the PGA Tour, Tommy Bolt was born on March 31, 1916.  He began his career on the PGA Tour in the 1940s.  Bolt won 15 PGA Tour titles including the 1958 U.S. Open Championship.  He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.

Tommy Bolt was a very flamboyant character who was known for his fiery temper.  Hardly a round passed without him throwing or breaking at least one of his golf clubs.  He once said “if you are going to throw your club, throw it towards the hole so you don’t have to walk backwards to get it.”   His club throwing antics eventually led to the rule by the USGA prohibiting PGA Tour players from throwing clubs.  Bolt died in August 2008.

Golf In Hard Times

photo credit: jayniebell   Throughout history, golf has been one of the best “bang for the buck” sports.  Where else can you have four hours of fun for $25 to $50 dollars on most links?  America’s strong economy has produced new courses in every nook and cranny of the nation, but now we are faced with a severe economic downturn.  What will this mean for the average golfer?

Many, who have been hit especially hard by the slowdown, will play much less and may stop playing all together.  Unfortunately, many courses will be forced to close and very few new projects will begin.  For the average golfer there may be one solution, more time on the practice range.  With Range fees so inexpensive, everyone will have the opportunity to sharpen their game.

Golf’s Early Beginnings

The first game of golf on record took place in 1456 at the Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh, Scottland. The game became so popular that throughout the 15th century it spread to England and the British Isles. Although some of the oldest courses are located in Great Britain, Scottland is golf’s home.

Originally, it was played on extremely rough conditions in open fields. To begin with there were a total of 22 holes eventually reduced to 11 holes. Towards the end of the 15th Century it was decided to make 18 holes the standard of play.

In it’s origin golf was played with a “feathery,” a golf ball that had a leather outer- and was stuffed with wet feathers which when dried, became very firm. The feathery could be hit about 100 to 125 yards.