Throughout history, many cultures have left evidence of stick-and-ball games which are now considered distant ancestors to modern golf and several other sports, but the origin of modern golf is often debated today. Many believe the Scottish can be credited with the one thing that sets golf apart from most other stick-and-ball games - the hole!



At Saint Andrews in Scotland, the first known golf course was created as early as the 15th century. It featured only 11 holes, golfers would play to the end of the property and then turn around and play their way back for a total of 22 holes. The 18-hole course used today reportedly originated in 1764 after the Saint Andrews course was shortened to 9 holes.

Mary, Queen of Scots may have been the very first woman to take up golf, it was during her reign the Saint Andrews course was built, and it is rumored Mary's habit of calling her assistants "cadets" inspired the term "caddy".

According to Golf Digest, almost 32,000 golf courses were operating in 2005, most prominently in English-speaking countries. Scotland, New Zealand and Australia were calculated to have the most courses in relation to their populated, however almost half of the courses they recorded were in America.

Talented professional golfers and tournament competitors come from all walks of life; there are no age, race or gender restrictions, contrary to the old acronym "Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden". Like Mary "Queen of Scots" Stuart, women from all over the world have taken up golf as a profession, as a hobby, and even for fitness.

The sport of golf has often been utilized in business as a tool to test a new business associate or prospective employee, an opportunity to get to know them and also to see whether the person can handle stress and relax. It is an opportunity for a person to impress their new associate or future employer, not only by the skill with which they play the game, but also by their manners. Some universities even offer golf classes for students in business-related fields.

Playing golf can be a great asset for any woman, for business, for pleasure, or for health. Since 1811, with the creation of the Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland, many local, national, and international clubs for women golfers have been founded worldwide, drawing women together in friendly competition and camaraderie. The popularity of Women's Golf can only continue to grow with the advent of many successful female golfers to inspire and encourage a world of women and young ladies alike.