20 Random Facts About Golf

31 May 20 Random Facts About Golf

Golf is a sport with a long history behind it going back to the 15^th Century. In that long period, a lot of interesting things have happened which includes insane records and feats. This article will touch upon some of these records and also some very interesting facts.

1. The word caddy comes from the French word cadet which means student. Cadet in French is pronounced as cad-day.
2. The probability of making two consecutive hole-in-ones in a round is one in 67 million.
   
3. The popular term birdie used in golf originated when an American player Ab Smith described a shot as a ‘bird of a shot’ while playing a round of golf in 1899. This then slowly became birdie.
   
4. The world record for the longest recorded drive on a regular course is 515 yards made by Michael Hoke Austin of Los Angeles during the US National Seniors Open Championship at Las Vegas on 25^th September 1974.
5. John Hudson made two consecutive hole-in-ones at the 11^th and 12^th holes during the Martini Tournament held at Norwich, England in 1971.
   
6. In March 1961, Lou Kretlow made the longest hole in one measuring in at 427 yards at the Lake Hefner Course in Oklahoma.
7. Phil Mickelson is a right-handed player who plays left-handed. He had learned the sport by mirroring his father who was a left-handed player.
   
8. A typical golf course usually has 18 holes.
9. Albatross or Double Eagle is used to refer to rounds that are 3-shots under a par on a hole.
   
10. 3-shots over par on a hole is referred to as a Triple Bogey.
    
11. Tiger Woods has earned over $100 million dollars in just prize money.
12. There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.
13. The longest putt ever measured is a ridiculous 375 feet.
14. Around 125,000 golf balls are shot into the water annually at the well-known 17^th hole of the Stadium Course situated in Sawgrass.
15. An average female golf player has a drive speed of 62 mph while a professional female player has a drive speed of 96 mph.
16. An average male golf player has a drive speed of 84 mph while a professional male player has a drive speed of 108 mph.
17. Tiger Woods has clocked in a drive speed of 130 mph whereas the record for the fastest drive speed is around 150 mph.
18. The female equivalent of the Ryder Cup is called the Solheim Cup.
19. The first golf tournament for women was held in 1811 at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day.
20. 80% of all golfers will never achieve a handicap of that is less than 18.