How did golf determine 18 holes?

Answer 1

It all derives from the 'St Andrews Links' course.

Located in Scotland, this is the oldest verifiable golf course in the world, having been established in the 15th century. Even now it is considered the 'home of golf'; in the past it was the course to which all others were compared.

Originally, the St Andrews Links course had eleven holes. They were laid out end to end so that after you finished one hole you would be near the tee for the next. But since each carried you futher from the clubhouse, it was traditional to play eleven out and eleven back (why just walk when you can golf?). The number of eleven has no special significance - that course had that many only because that was how many they could fit in the available space and terrain.

Later, there were complaints that some of the holes were too short. So the shorter ones were combined, leaving only nine. Nine out and nine back became the tradition for the landmark course, so now all golf games consist of eighteen holes. Tradition!

Answer 2

The 18 hole course was insituted by St. Andrews when they converted their 11 hole course into a 9 hole course because the 11 holes were individually too short. Thus the 22 holes (each hole was played twice) became 18. In 1858, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, not an institution to be trifled with, issued an official decree that one round of links, or 18 holes, constituted an official match. Other courses were forced to follow suite.

Answer 3

Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes.

The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St. Andrews established a customary route through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography.

The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. One played the holes out, turned around, and played the holes in, for a total of 22 holes.

In 1764, several of the holes were deemed too short, and were therefore combined. The number was thereby reduced from 11 to nine, so that a complete round of the links comprised 18 holes.

Answer 4

Golf was originally supposed to be 20 holes. However on the first ever round, Lee Edward Golf (the gentleman that invented and named the game), began playing but had a nasty slice. On the 19th tee, he tee'd up his final ball and wacked it, the nasty slice caused him to lose his final ball. He, at this time, decided the game will be played with 18 holes and canceled out the final 2 holes.

By the way, Lee Edward Golf would take his dog with him to the couse. His dog would help him find the ball when the hole was not straight and he could not see over the bend. Lee used his initials (L.E.G.) and gave his dog credit and came up with the name "Dog Leg" to describe holes that had a bend to the right and left.

Answer 5

My favorite answer is that there is 18 shots in a pint. Couldn't keep golfing with no more alcohol.

Answer 6

9 holes was not enough to finish the beer so 18 was created to be able to finish what you brought and then the 19th hole was opened so you can buy more from them

Answer 7

because 18 takes the whole day and thats a day away from the wife!

Answer 8

the guy that invented it was born on 8/18/88.

Answer 9

Obviously nobody knows. Good luck finding the answer.

Answer 10

They timed it and figured that is how long a wife will let her husband be gone at one time :)