Miles Bennett
While the origins of golf are disputed, with a Chinese scholar claiming the game originated in China and the Netherlands also laying claim, the sport's association with Scotland is well-documented. In his book, Scotland the Brave, Bliss Carnochan writes, Even those who know little of Scotland know that the Scots invented golf. The game was introduced to Scotland in 1421 when a Scottish regiment aiding the French encountered the game of chole and brought it back home. The word golf was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing in an Act of the Scots Parliament in 1457. In 1502, King James IV of Scotland lifted a ban on the game, preserving man's right to happiness. The first recorded purchase of golf equipment was made by James IV in the same year, and he played in the first officially documented golf match in 1504.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the skit | 2002 |
| Name of the skit | Robin Williams: Live on Broadway |
| Performer | Robin Williams |
| Focus of the skit | Invention of golf |
| Location | New York |
| Key points | The absurdity of golf, the unusual clothing, the required athletic ability, the values once found at The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland |
| Mentioned individuals | Tiger Woods |
| Comments on | The dominance of Tiger Woods as a golfer |
| Remarks on | The heritage of Tiger Woods |
| Golf in Scotland | Dates back to the 15th century |
| Percentage of the world's golf courses in Scotland | 2% |
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What You'll Learn
Robin Williams' SNL sketch about the Scots inventing golf
In a sketch from Saturday Night Live (SNL), Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014, delivered a hilarious monologue on how the Scots invented golf. Williams, who wasn't much of a golfer himself, began his routine by joking about the Scots' drinking habits and their unique accent, which can be incomprehensible at times, especially after a few drinks. He then proceeded to mock the absurdity of the sport's attire, the goofy pants, and the questionable athletic ability required to play.
Williams' comedic genius shone as he described the essence of golf through the eyes of a Scotsman:
> "Here's my idea for a f*ing sport. I knock a ball into a gopher hole. ... "F* off pool. Not with a straight stick, with a little f*ed-up stick. I whack a ball, it goes into a gopher hole. ... "F* no! Not straight. I put sh*t in the way!"
The sketch, which has been hailed as one of the best SNL sketches of all time, also included a tribute to golfing legend Tiger Woods. Williams marvelled at Woods' unique heritage, stating:
> "The son of a black man and a Thai woman — Not even a German geneticist could've thought that one up! Black athletic ability, Buddhist concentration, Crouching Tiger, ah-ha!"
While Williams' bit on the Scots inventing golf may not be entirely historically accurate, it captured the inherent absurdity and unique pleasures and torments of the game. It showcased Williams' ability to find humour in the everyday and his talent for physical comedy and mimicry, solidifying his place as one of the greatest comedians of all time.
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The word 'golf' first recorded in the 15th century
The word "golf" was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an Act of the Scots Parliament on March 6, 1457. The game was banned by King James II of Scotland, who was attempting to encourage his subjects to practice archery instead. The royal ban was repeated in 1471 by James III and again in 1491 by James IV.
The word "golf" is usually thought to be derived from the Dutch "colf" or "colve", meaning "stick", "club", or "bat". It is related to the Proto-Germanic *kulth*, found in Old Norse as "kolfr", meaning "bell clapper", and the German "Kolben", meaning "mace or club". The Dutch term "Kolven" refers to a similar sport where the aim is to hit a ball with a mallet into a hole using the fewest number of strokes.
Some claim that "golf" is a purely Scottish term, derived from Scots words like "golf", "golfand", and "golfing", which mean "to strike" or "to cuff". This view may be based on the possible derivation of the ancient Greek word "κολάφος" (kolaphos), meaning "to strike with a fist". There are obvious cognate links through the Latin terms "colaphus" and "colapus".
Before the creation of dictionaries, there was no standardised spelling of any word. In Scottish documents, variations such as "goff", "gowf", "goif", "goiff", "gof", "gowfe", "gouff", and "golve" have been found. The first documented reference is spelled "golf", but most people believe that the old word "gowfe" was the most common term, pronounced "gouf".
The game similar to modern golf that was banned by King James II of Scotland in 1457 was likely not the same as the golf we know today. It was probably a target-based game played in city streets or churchyards, rather than the golf played on links that we are familiar with.
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King James IV lifts the ban on golf in 1502
Golf's big year came in 1502 when, with the signing of the Treaty of Perpetual Peace between Scotland and England, King James IV lifted the ban on golf, preserving civilisation and man's right to happiness. The ban had been put in place in 1457 by the Scots Parliament of King James II, who believed that golf was interfering with the military training required for wars against the English. The ban was reaffirmed in 1471 by King James III and again in 1491 by King James IV.
In September 1502, King James IV made the first recorded purchase of golf equipment, paying 14 shillings "for clubs from the bower at Saint Johnston". In 1504, he played in the first officially documented golf match, against the Earl of Bothwell. In 1505, he purchased a dozen balls to play at the Royal Park in Stirling.
The game of golf was introduced to Scotland in 1421 by a Scottish regiment aiding the French against the English at the Siege of Baugé. The game was called "chole" and three of the identified players, Hugh Kennedy, Robert Stewart, and John Smale, are credited with introducing it. The word "golf" was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an Act of the Scots Parliament on 6 March 1457.
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Golf's association with Scotland is documented since the 15th century
Golf's association with Scotland dates back to the 15th century. The word "golf" was first recorded in the 1400s, appearing twice in an Act of the Scots Parliament on 6 March 1457. In an attempt to protect Scotland from English invaders, King James II and the Parliament banned golf, believing that it interfered with archery practice. The ban was reaffirmed by King James III in 1471 and by King James IV in 1491. However, in 1502, King James IV lifted the ban and purchased golf equipment, making him the first recorded individual to do so.
In 1504, King James IV participated in the first officially documented golf match, playing against the Earl of Bothwell. The following year, he purchased a dozen balls to play at Royal Park in Stirling. Golf's popularity continued to grow, and in 1552, it was recorded that the game was played in St. Andrews, with the Archbishop of St. Andrews issuing a decree granting citizens the right to play on the links in 1553. Mary, Queen of Scots, was known to play golf and was criticised by the Church for doing so shortly after the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley.
The first international golf match was recorded in 1682, with the Duke of York and John Patersone of Scotland defeating two English noblemen. Golf's development continued into the 18th century, with the establishment of the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh in 1735 and the creation of the first written rules of golf by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith in 1744. The sport's association with Scotland remained prominent, with St. Andrews often considered the "home of golf".
While the exact origins of golf are debated, with claims from China and the Netherlands, its long-standing connection to Scotland is undeniable. The game has evolved over the centuries, spreading worldwide and gaining recognition as a unique and sociable sport.
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The game's inherent absurdity
The sketch comedy piece "How the Scots Invented Golf" from Saturday Night Live (SNL) offers a humorous and tongue-in-cheek take on the origins of the game of golf, presenting it as a comically absurd and ridiculous invention by the Scots. The game's inherent absurdity is a key theme in the sketch and can be explored in several ways.
One aspect of golf that the sketch highlights for comedic effect is the elaborate and seemingly unnecessary rules and etiquette. From the outside, golf can appear to have an excessive number of rules, with strict guidelines on everything from clothing to the number of clubs allowed. The SNL sketch exaggerates this, presenting a game with overly complex and bizarre rules, such as the requirement to "yell fore" (a traditional warning cry in golf) not once, but four times, and the prohibition of any "foreplay" (a pun on the similar-sounding word "fore"). This portrayal pokes fun at the stuffiness and formality sometimes associated with golf culture and the idea that the game is overly bound by tradition and strict protocols.
The attire associated with golf is another target of the sketch's humor. Golfers are often recognized for their distinctive clothing, which can include items like argyle socks, visors, and polo shirts. The SNL sketch exaggerates this, dressing the players in comically stuffy and outdated outfits, complete with tartan patterns and knickerbocker-style trousers. This costume choice emphasizes the perceived stuffiness and formality of golf attire, presenting it as overly traditional and perhaps out of touch with modern fashion sensibilities.
The equipment used in golf is also highlighted for its absurdity. Golf clubs and balls can be expensive and are often marketed with the promise of improved performance, despite the fact that the basic design of these tools has remained largely unchanged for decades. In the sketch, the golfers are equipped with comically oversized and antiquated clubs, emphasizing the idea that the technology and design of golf equipment have reached a point of diminishing returns, and yet the pursuit of the "perfect" club or ball continues. This exaggeration highlights the excessive consumerism and the idea that golfers are always in search of the next best equipment, even if the improvements are minimal.
The game's pace, or lack thereof, is another element of absurdity in the sketch. Golf is often criticized for being a slow-paced game, and the SNL portrayal emphasizes this with deliberate and exaggerated slowness. The players take an excessive amount of time to line up their shots, debate the rules, and perform various rituals and superstitions before taking a swing. This portrayal not only highlights the perceived slowness of the game but also the idea that golfers can be overly ritualistic and superstitious, engaging in behaviors that may have no actual impact on their performance.
Lastly, the sketch also touches on the exclusivity and elitism sometimes associated with golf. The game has a reputation for being exclusive, with private clubs and expensive membership fees creating a barrier to entry for many. In the sketch, this exclusivity is exaggerated, with the golfers portrayed as snobbish and elitist, looking down on those who do not conform to the traditional golf stereotypes. This portrayal satirizes the perception that golfers can be snobbish and out of touch, and it emphasizes the idea that golf has a reputation for being a game for the wealthy and privileged.
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Frequently asked questions
The skit is about how the game of golf was invented. It makes fun of the absurd clothes, goofy pants, and the lack of athletic ability required to play golf.
The skit was performed by Robin Williams.
Some important moments in the history of golf in Scotland include the introduction of the featherie ball in 1618, King James VI of Scotland confirming the right of the populace to play golf on Sundays in 1618, and the first recorded international golf match in 1682.
While it is widely believed that golf was invented by the Scots in the 15th century, there are also claims that the game originated in China and was brought to Scotland by Mongolian travelers or that it originated in the Netherlands.
