From Brent Kelley,
Your Guide to Golf.
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Welcome to the Golf History FAQ. Here we've gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about golf history, and attempted to answer them. If you have a golf history question that is not listed, try posting it in our Golf Forum. And you can find more golf history FAQs in the U.S. Open FAQ, Masters FAQ and Ryder Cup FAQ.

• When and where did golf begin?

• What is the origin of the word "golf"? Does it stand for "gentleman only, ladies forbidden"?

• When were the first rules written, and what were they?

• Why are golf courses 18 holes in length?

• What is the oldest public golf course in the U.S.?

• What is a links course?

• Why do golfers yell "fore" to warn others of an errant shot?

• How did "Mulligan" acquire its golf meaning?

• What is the origin of the term "dormie"?

• Why is the golf hole the size that it is?

• Why are 'skins' - as in The Skins Game - called what they are?

• When was the first golf tournament televised?

• What is a stymie?

• How did "closest to the pin" become abbreviated as "KP"?

• Where do the terms "birdie" and "eagle" come from?

• Why is "bogey" the term used for 1-over-par on a hole?

• Did the term "par" originate with golf?

• What is a redan hole?

• What is the origin of the Claret Jug?

• What is the origin of the term "sandbagger"?

Is your golf history question not yet included here? Post your question in the Golf Forum, where other golfers may be able to help.