Fun Facts About Golf

1. Golf balls were originally made of wood. The first golf balls used in the 14th century were made of hardwood, usually beech. It wasn't until the 17th century that golf balls were made of leather stuffed with feathers.

2. The word "caddy" comes from the French word "cadet," which means a student military officer. The term was used in the early 17th century to refer to young boys who carried golf clubs for players.

3. The chances of making a holeinone are estimated to be about 12,500 to 1 for an amateur player. Professional golfers have odds of around 2,500 to 1.

4. The world's longest golf course is the Nullarbor Links in Australia, stretching for 848 miles (1,365 kilometers) with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway.

5. Golf is one of only two sports to have been played on the moon. In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the lunar surface with a makeshift club.

6. The record for the fastest round of golf played is 29 minutes and 33 seconds, set by a team of four golfers at the Greenacres Golf Course in New Zealand.

7. The term "birdie" to describe one stroke under par comes from an American named Ab Smith. In 1899, he played what he described as a "bird of a shot," which eventually became "birdie."

8. Golf is one of only two sports to have been played on the moon. In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the lunar surface with a makeshift club.

9. The world's largest golf tournament took place in 2012 in Manila, Philippines, with 1,206 participants playing on five different courses over three days.

10. In 1457, King James II of Scotland banned golf because he felt it was interfering with archery practice, which was necessary for national defense at the time. The ban was finally lifted in 1502 by his successor, King James IV.