Origin of Golf in the United States and the Oldest US Golf Courses

Although golf originates from Scotland, it didn’t become popular until the 19th century, when the discipline made its way into the United States. In the upcoming paragraphs, we will reveal interesting details regarding the early history of golf in the US and the changes that occurred over the years. Additionally, we’ll also list some of the oldest golf courses in the United States, some of which are still present today.

How Did Golf First Appear in the US?

In the very beginning, people residing in the United States were not actually playing golf. Nonetheless, they were still hitting balls the exact same way a golf player would do. Back in those days, however, the game was called kolven or kolf. Although kolf first appeared in the Netherlands, Americans had a lot of fun hitting rubber balls.

Players used long wooden sticks with metal-covered heads to hit their balls, and their aim was to “send” them as far as possible. That form of entertainment was ceased quite swiftly due to the numerous reports by people who had their windows broken. It is believed that the earliest proof of golf being played in the US dates back to 1739.

A record from that year shows that golf equipment was delivered in South Carolina to a man named William Wallace. A few years later, the Charleston-located South Carolina Golf Club was built. The new discipline grew quite the popularity, and in 1910, there were more than 250 golf clubs in the US, and the United States Golf Association was formed.

In less than 20 years, the number of golf clubs in the US has grown immensely, and it outnumbered 1,000. Then, golf course communities also became a thing. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, a golf course community is a private space where a residency is built around a golf course. According to a survey made in 2022, at present, there are approximately 9,470 golf courses in the United States.

The Oldest Golf Courses in the US

If you’ve read the previous section, you already know that golf emerged in the US a long time ago. Therefore, it’s far from surprising that there are so many golf courses located there at present time. The following paragraphs will be completely dedicated to the oldest golf rouses in the United States. The interesting thing is that some of them have gone through numerous restorations and are still present even today. Below, you’ll find information about the following courses:

• Foxburg Country Club
• Oakhurst Links
• Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
• Newport Country Club

Oakhurst Links

Founded in 1884, Oakhurst Links is considered the oldest golf course in the United States. The public course was spread over 37.8 acres, and the field had nine holes in total. The Oakhurst Links was located in West Virginia, and it closed its doors in 1912. In 2012, the area had a new owner who stated that he’d restore the site within a couple of years.

Foxburg Country Club

Foxburg Country Club was established in 1887, and today it is the oldest golf course in the US that is still functioning. It covers a 61 acres area, and it’s located in Foxburg, Pennsylvania. That’s where the American Golf Hall of Fame is situated. The museum is an attraction to many devotees of the disciplines, and it houses numerous golf artifacts. Everyone can visit it for free, which is one of the reasons why so many people like going to the Foxburg Country Club.

Fans of the sport who find this location convenient like playing there because they consider the area quite fitting for the sport. Some of them, however, shared that the bushes and trees surrounding the area sometimes made their play quite challenging.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is located in Southampton, New York, and is one of the largest and oldest golf courses in the US. The entire area’s size equals 259 acres, and the course has 18 holes. When it opened its doors for the first time, there were only 12 holes. However, after a major restoration, their number was expanded, and the golf club became even more inviting for people fond of the sport.

Newport Country Club

Newport Country Club is one of the founding members of the US Golf Association. The course was established in 1893, and a number of tournaments were held there, including the U.S. Amateur Championship and the very first U.S. Open contest. The Newport Country Club still functions today.

Final Words

Golf appeared in the United States many years ago, but its popularity is still enormous even today. Annually, new golf courses open their doors, and fans of the discipline are eager to visit most of them. However, the most prominent ones remain those listed above since they are the oldest golf clubs in the US, and thus, they have historical value. Visiting any of the courses listed above will certainly be a memorable experience, especially if you are someone who loves playing golf.