Whether you’re new to golf or you’ve been playing the sport for many years, the chances are that you don’t know everything about it. From its history to environmental impact, there’s so much to cover! Below, we’ve rounded up interesting facts about golf that might surprise you.

Golf dates back to the 15th century

Golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century, with the first 18-hole round created at the Old Course at St Andrews. It was almost 100 years later when the first Open Championship took place back in 1860, and the sport has been thriving ever since. Millions flock to St Andrews every year to experience the traditional course themselves, and Auchterlonies, one of the oldest golf shops in St Andrews Scotland, was even founded by an Open Champion, which demonstrates the town’s deep-rooted connection to one of the world’s favourite sports. 

300 million golf balls are lost each year

Ever wondered where your golf ball ends up when you lose it? You’re not alone. Data suggests that almost 300 million golf balls are lost in the US alone every year, and that’s not taking into account the rest of the world, with another 20 million lost in the UK per annum. It can take up to 1,000 years for golf balls to decompose, according to scientists, which means that they pose a serious risk to the environment. Many now actively look for golf balls when they’re out walking close to beaches and courses, and some environmentalists have turned golf balls into works of art to raise awareness about the issue. Keep an eye on your balls!

Men dominate golf

Did you know that Mary, Queen of Scots was the first woman to play golf? Since then, more and more women have taken up the sport, and on New Year’s Day 1811, women’s golf was officially recognised. Today, around 22% of all golfers are female, but that continues to climb.

Samuel L. Jackson loves golf

Samuel L. Jackson might be one of the world’s most well-known actors, but he’s also a real fan of golf. In fact, the star of movies such as Pulp Fiction and The Hitman’s Bodyguard has it written into his contract that he can play golf twice per week when he’s filming a movie, which means that directors and studios sometimes have to take a break to accommodate his habit. Now that’s the dream job right there: A-list actor with a golf clause! We’re jealous.

Golf balls travel further on hot days

Did you know that a golf ball will travel further on hotter days? As the air is less dense, golf balls require less velocity to travel, and thus it’s advisable to play over the summer months. That is one of the reasons why so many people like to travel to warmer climates to play a round, from Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park in Malaga to the Aphrodite Hills Golf & Spa Resort in Paphos, there are so many incredible destinations to tick off your golf bucket list!