| Where was the original golf course in the United | | | | the decisions concerning golf courses and how they |
| States? This is still an issue of debate. Several golf | | | | are to be constructed for competition play. These are |
| historians declare that the first golf course and | | | | also, the same organizations that make most of the |
| membership club was in South Carolina. However, | | | | decisions on the rules of golf as well. |
| there is another government record that mentions | | | | For both golf courses and the rules of golf all over the |
| playing golf near Albany, New York in early 1659. It | | | | world, except for the United States and Mexico, the |
| depends on whether you would consider casually | | | | R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club) governs. In |
| playing golf or an organized club should be recognized | | | | the United States and Mexico the USGA (United |
| as the official beginning. | | | | States Golf Association) has control. |
| Yet, the first location of the original 18-hole course is | | | | What is considered the proper length of a golf |
| fairly conclusive. The 18-hole golf course was built | | | | course? |
| close to Chicago in the year 1893. This existed long | | | | Even though a golf course may be practically any |
| enough to be officially recorded and gain enough fame | | | | length, since golf, different than most other sports, |
| to be remembered by historians, Chicago residents | | | | does not employ standard sizes of a playing field or |
| and avid golf players. Though very popular, this golf | | | | court. Considering the various local landscapes around |
| course was short lived. | | | | the United States and as well in the world, it may be |
| Soon, a permanent golf club gave the Chicago record | | | | impractical to try to confine a specific length or |
| some competition, however. While still located in North | | | | dimension since every area has a unique elevation and |
| America, this golf course was actually made outside | | | | soil. |
| the United States in Canada. | | | | Still. to keep a golf course enjoyable and challenging, |
| Today, some would count the number of golf courses | | | | the R&A, the USGA, and the golf course constructors |
| in the United States as being equal to all the golf | | | | attempt to keep the courses from being too long or |
| courses in the rest of the world combined. | | | | too short. Ultimately, Mother Nature has the final say |
| So, who decides what counts as an official golf | | | | where natural environment greatly affects how long a |
| course? | | | | course will be and the level of difficulty the surface will |
| There are two organizations that make the majority of | | | | bring to the golfers. |