Jackson Reid
The modern game of golf is widely believed to have originated in Scotland, where it is said to have been played as early as the Middle Ages. However, J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the beloved children's fantasy novel, 'The Hobbit', offers a different account of the sport's invention. In his 1937 book, Tolkien describes a whimsical scene in which a hobbit uses a club to behead a goblin named Golfimbul, with the head landing in a rabbit hole—a playful nod to the Dutch word for club. Beyond its imaginative origin story, 'The Hobbit' follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a well-to-do hobbit who embarks on a quest alongside Gandalf the wizard and a troupe of dwarves, encountering a myriad of magical creatures along the way.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Hobbit | Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took |
| Height | 4 feet 5 inches |
| Battle | Battle of Greenfields |
| Year of Battle | 2747 of the Third Age |
| Enemy | Goblins from Mount Gram |
| Weapon | Wooden Club |
| Victim | King Golfimbul |
| Distance Head Flew | 100 yards |
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What You'll Learn
The Battle of Greenfields
Bandobras Took was the great-granduncle of Bilbo Baggins, standing at four feet and five inches tall, which was exceptionally large for a Hobbit. His height allowed him to ride a horse, which was unusual for a Hobbit. During the battle, Took charged at the goblins and decapitated their king with a wooden club. Golfimbul's head flew through the air for 100 yards before landing in a rabbit hole.
This decisive moment not only won the battle for the Hobbits but also led to the invention of the game of golf, according to Gandalf. The name "golf" is said to have originated from the Goblin King Golfimbul. Thus, the Battle of Greenfields holds a significant place in Hobbit history, not only for their victory over the goblins but also for the accidental creation of a beloved sport.
The story of the Battle of Greenfields and the invention of golf is told by Gandalf in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Gandalf recounts this tale to either bolster Bilbo's courage by reminding him of his brave ancestry or to explain to the Dwarves why he chose Bilbo to join their quest. While Bilbo believed that Gandalf had embellished the story, it still played a part in convincing him to join the Dwarves on their adventure.
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Bandobras Bullroarer Took
Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took, the second son of the eleventh Thain of the Took family line, Isumbras Took III, was born in TA 2704. Standing at four feet and five inches, he was the tallest Hobbit on record until he was surpassed in height by Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. He earned the nickname "Bullroarer" due to his height, which allowed him to ride a horse instead of a pony, as is typical for Hobbits.
Bandobras is best known for his role in the Battle of Greenfields in TA 2747, where he led a force of Hobbits against an invasion of goblins from Mount Gram, led by their chief, Golfimbul. During the battle, Bandobras personally slew Golfimbul by decapitating him with a wooden club. The goblin king's head flew a hundred yards through the air and landed in a rabbit hole. This act not only secured the Hobbit victory but also, according to Gandalf, led to the invention of the game of golf, with the name derived from the defeated goblin king.
In addition to his heroic deeds on the battlefield, Bandobras is also credited with inventing the pastime of fence walking. It is said that he would drink his favourite beer each morning and then walk across a fence to improve his balance. Fence walking became a popular activity among Hobbits during the Bullroarer Took Day celebrations.
The statue of Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took stands in Brockenborings, commemorating his defeat of Golfimbul in the Battle of Greenfields. Every spring, the Shire celebrates Bullroarer Took Day, during which Hobbits drink tankards of Bullroarer's Brew and place these tankards under his statue in honour of their greatest hero.
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Golfimbul, the Goblin King
Bullroarer's bravery and strength were renowned among hobbits, and he is remembered as a hero for defending the Shire from the goblin invasion. His stature and prowess in battle made him a legendary figure in hobbit history, with his name becoming synonymous with courage and valour.
Golfimbul, on the other hand, was the leader of the goblins of Mount Gram who sought to invade the Shire. His army posed a significant threat to the hobbits, but Golfimbul's ambitions were cut short by Bullroarer's swift and decisive action. The goblin king's defeat not only ensured the safety of the Shire but also inadvertently led to the creation of a beloved sport.
The name "golf" is said to have originated from Golfimbul, the fallen goblin king. This unique etymology showcases the whimsical nature of hobbit culture and their ability to find lightheartedness even in the midst of battle. The story of Golfimbul and Bullroarer Took has become an integral part of hobbit folklore, passed down through generations as a testament to their resilience and ingenuity.
While the specific details of Golfimbul's life before the Battle of Greenfields may be shrouded in mystery, his legacy is forever intertwined with the game of golf and the hobbits' proud history of defending their homeland. The tale of Golfimbul serves as a reminder that even the most formidable of foes can be overcome with courage, skill, and a little bit of hobbit ingenuity.
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Hobbits' love of games
Hobbits are known for their love of games, and one of the most famous examples is the invention of golf by Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took. In the Battle of Greenfields, Bullroarer Took, who stood at four feet and five inches tall, led the hobbits in repelling an invasion of goblins from Mount Gram. During the battle, he used a wooden club to behead the Goblin King Golfimbul, and the head flew through the air for 100 yards before landing in a rabbit hole. This event, as described by Gandalf, led to the invention of the game of golf.
Bullroarer Took was an exceptional hobbit, not only for his height but also for his bravery and skill in battle. He was a distant relative of Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist of "The Hobbit." Gandalf shared the story of Bullroarer with Bilbo to encourage him to join the quest to defeat Smaug the dragon. The tale of Bullroarer's heroic deeds served as a reminder of Bilbo's brave ancestry and provided him with courage and motivation.
Hobbits are known for their love of storytelling and their interest in genealogy, biographies, and adventures. Bilbo, in particular, enjoyed recounting his experiences with Gandalf and the Company of Dwarves, as seen in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Their love of games is also evident in another invention attributed to Bullroarer Took: fence walking. This activity involved walking across a fence to improve balance, and it became a popular pastime among hobbits during the Bullroarer Took Day celebrations.
The invention of golf by Bullroarer Took showcases the hobbits' creativity and their ability to find unique forms of entertainment. It also highlights their bravery and skill in defending their homeland against invading goblins. The hobbits' love of games and storytelling is an integral part of their culture, passed down through generations and shared among their kin.
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Tolkien's inspiration
J.R.R. Tolkien's inspiration for the invention of golf in 'The Hobbit' is believed to have come from the character Bandobras "the Bullroarer" Took, who was known for his exceptional height for a hobbit, standing at four feet and five inches. In the story, Bullroarer leads the hobbits in the Battle of Greenfields against invading goblins from Mount Gram. During the battle, he decapitates the Goblin King Golfimbul with a wooden club, sending the head flying through the air for a hundred yards before it lands in a rabbit hole.
This event is described by Gandalf as the simultaneous invention of golf and the victory in battle: "Thus the battle was won and the game of Golf invented at the same time," with the name "golf" derived from the slain Goblin King. Tolkien himself seemed convinced that Bullroarer invented golf, and the story becomes a part of the narrative in "The Hobbit," where Gandalf recounts it to encourage Bilbo Baggins to join the quest.
Bullroarer's bravery and unique stature among hobbits likely inspired Tolkien to attribute the creation of a globally popular sport to this character. The tale of the Battle of Greenfields, with its dramatic beheading and inventive use of a wooden club, provided a captivating origin story for the game of golf within the context of Middle Earth.
Additionally, Tolkien's creation of Bullroarer Took may have been influenced by his belief that "bullroarer" was an instrument used by primitive peoples, producing a roaring sound. This association could have contributed to the character's name and reputation, further emphasising his uniqueness among hobbits.
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Frequently asked questions
In J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit', golf is said to have been invented by Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took, the great-grand-uncle of Bilbo Baggins.
During the Battle of the Green Fields, Bullroarer Took led the hobbits in repelling an invasion of goblins from Mount Gram. He decapitated the Goblin King Golfimbul with a wooden club, sending his head flying through the air for 100 yards before it landed in a rabbit hole. According to Gandalf, this is how the game of golf was invented.
Tolkien believed that "bullroarer" was an instrument of primitive peoples that made a roaring sound. He may have been inspired by this when creating the character of Bullroarer Took and the story of how he invented golf.
