5 Fun & Interesting Golf Facts

Golf is a sport that has been around for centuries and is loved by millions of people around the world. Even if you’re not a keen golfer, the chances are that you have heard about it and know what’s involved in playing. While many people will have some general knowledge about the sport, we’ve found some fun and interesting facts about golf that you probably didn’t know!

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Fun Fact #1 – The First Golf Ball Was Made of Feathers

When golf was first played, people used to get feathers and pack them into a leather pouch to make their golf balls. As you can imagine, these didn’t usually last very long due to their soft build. They were later swapped out for wooden balls which also frequently broke, leading to the evolution of the golf balls that we use today.

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Fun Fact #2 – ­­The Longest Putt is 120.6m

In 2017, a man named Brett Stanford – part of the ‘How Ridiculous’ YouTube channel from Australia – putt a golf ball a mind-boggling 120.6m (395ft 8in). He achieved this amazing putt on the 5^th hole at the Point Water Golf Course in Western Australia.

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Fun Fact #3 – Before Golf Tees, There Were Sand Mounds

Before the invention of the golf tee – the object that holds your ball above the ground on your first swing – players used to put a small mound of sand on the ground to raise the ball. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that golf tees became popularised and widely used by golfers.

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Fun Fact #4 – 80% of Golfers Will Never Have a Handicap Under 18

Don’t feel disheartened if your handicap isn’t where you think it should be. Most golfers won’t achieve a handicap of fewer than 18, simply because it is extremely difficult to do. Just keep practicing and playing to be the best you can, and most of all enjoy it without worrying about the numbers!

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Fun Fact #5 – The Longest Golf Drive is 515 Yards

The longest recorded drive on an ordinary golf course is 515 yards. This beast of a shot was hit by Michael Hoke Austin of Los Angeles, California. He achieved this during the US National Seniors Open Championship that took place in Las Vegas in 1974.