Does anyone know what GOLF stands for? And how the game got its name?
The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on the Status of Scotland on forbidden games as Gouf, possibly derived from the word goulf Scots (of various writing) meaning "to strike or cuff". This word, in turn, is derived from kolf the Dutch word, meaning "bat" or "club" and the Dutch sport of the same name. But there is an even earlier reference in the game of golf and is believed to have occurred in 1452 when King James II banned the game because it keeps his subjects its practice of archery. It is often claimed that the word originated as an acronym for "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden", but this is an urban legend.
