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TRAVEL TO SCOTLAND AND GOLF HISTORY

You may offer questions or opinions regarding early Scottish golf course architecture, golf history, or travel to Scotland (for golf) or to other parts of the British Isles. Questions/opinions may be made anonymously. This column will be updated each month with responses/new opinions. If I don't know the answer, perhaps our readers will.

Question: Why are there nine and 18 holes in a round of golf? Why not 20 or 15? - Jill.

Answer: In the mid-1800s, the number of holes varied from three or four to somewhere around 25. Old Tom Morris revised the Old Course at St. Andrews in 1865 to 18 individual holes. With his authority and his influence, he could have easily arranged another number of holes. The Old Course used to be 22 holes. When Old Tom designed golf courses, he would either design a nine hole course or a full 18. In the 1890s, when golf caught on in England and North America, the Old Course at St. Andrews was considered to be the premier test of golf and became the standard for all other courses. Old Tom Morris was the guru of golf and the R&A became its governing body. Today in Scotland there are still some courses with an odd number of holes. Usually it's because the land availabe is limited. Blackwaterfoot is my favorite - six holes out and six in.

Question: What do you do on a golf vacation to Scotland when it rains?

Answer: You play golf! I've only seen one rainy day when the courses were closed (and these were inland) because of rain. Actually, on that day I was able to persuade the local officials to let me play. A hat and rain suit made of Goretex (or similar impenetrable fabric) is all one needs. If it's not too windy, an umbrella can help. Most of the British courses have a sandy sub-soil (even most inland courses) which drains incredibly quickly. Or you could always visit a castle or pub for local flavors!

Question: I have read that, prior to the featherie, golf balls were made of boxwood. Is there any document describing evidence of wooden golf balls?

Answer: Yes, you're right. Golf balls used to be made of wood. There are references in the early golf literature describing these balls. In his book, Early Golf, Steven van Hengel mentions several references to the use of wooden balls by the Dutch. Holland would ship balls to Scotland and Scotland would, in return, ship clubs to Holland - from 1485 and possibly earlier.