Golf

Both a professional and recreational sport, golf is a popular outdoor activity. Using a golf club, players attempt to drive a golf ball into a marked hole in the ground several hundred yards away. The objective is to use the fewest possible strokes to place the ball into the hole. A full game consists of 18 holes, which are laid out on a preset course. Golf competitions can be scored by stroke play (lowest number of strokes on the course) or match play (lowest number on individual holes).

The origin of golf is unclear, but the most accepted account is in Scotland around the 12th century at the site of the St. Andrew's course, when shepherds knocked stones into rabbit holes.http://www.abc-of-golf.com/golf-basics/golf-history.asp In the United States there were 26 million golfers in 2005, down from 30 million in 2000.http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/nyregion/21golf.html?_r=1&em&ex=1203829200&en=9c9070c4064e72a7&ei=5087%0A

The modern game of golf was developed in Scotland somewhere around the 12th century. Many countries in Europe had been playing stick and ball games since the time of the Romans, but the Scots are credited with adding the objective of getting the ball into a hole in the ground.

1. Par: Standard number of strokes for a hole
2. Birdie: One stroke less than par
3. Eagle: Two strokes under par
4. Albatross: Three strokes under par
5. Bogie: One stroke more than par
6. Address: Preparing to hit the ball
7. Honor: Right to tee off first on a hole

Although not formalized in the Rules of Golf, there is a code of golf etiquette that it is expected players will follow. Some of these unwritten rules are:

1. Fix any divots or pitch marks you create
2. Minimize noise, so that others can concentrate
3. Walk, don't run
4. Keep carts on the paths
5. Know your balls
6. Avoid inappropriate language
7. No throwing of clubs
8. Stand clear of the ball when its another player's shot
9. Keep play moving
10. Avoid stepping within one foot of the hole
11. Stay out of the line of sight of a player attempting to putt
12. Always enter and leave a bunker from the low side

The PGA is the governing body of men's professional golf in the United States. The PGA oversees 49 tournaments each year, four of which are considered major tournaments: The Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship. Golfers earn points based on their performance in each tournament and the total point leader at the end of the season takes the championship.

Women's professional golf is regulated by the LPGA. The LPGA holds weekly tournaments across the United States and abroad, starting in February and running through August each year.

• Fred Couples
• John Daly
• Ernie Els
• Phil Mickelson
• Jack Nicklaus
• Arnold Palmer
• Chi Chi Rodriguez
• Vijay Singh
• Annika Sorenstam
• Lee Trevino
• Michelle Wie
• Tiger Woods