Don’t look down this number. It’s spical on golf  with a Long history. Like many developments throughout golf history, the standardization of 18 holes did not happen as the result of a momentous decision agreed upon by many.
And again, like many developments in golf, the standardization of 18 holes can be credited to St. Andrews.

Prior to the mid-1760s – and right up until the early 1900s – it was common to find golf courses that were comprised of 12 holes, or 19, or 23, or 15, or any other number.

Then, around 1764, St. Andrews converted from 22 holes to 18 holes. The reason? Well, everyone knows 18 holes are easier to take care of than 22!

Eighteen holes did not become the standard until the early 1900s, but from 1764 onward, more courses copied the St. Andrews model. Then, in 1858, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews issued new rules.

I’ll let Sam Groves, curator of the British Golf Museum who helped me with this explanation, take it from here:

“In 1858, the R&A issued new rules for its members; Rule 1 stated ‘one round of the Links or 18 holes is reckoned a match unless otherwise stipulated’. We can only presume that, as many clubs looked to the R&A for advice, this was slowly adopted throughout Britain. By the 1870s, therefore, more courses had 18 holes and a round of golf was being accepted as consisting of 18 holes.”

Well, the word “golf”, why it was named that? wooooo, who care, just swing your golf clubs,  that’s funny. But learn more about the historday of golf will be more help you to fall in love this sports.

Did the word “golf” originate as an acronym for “gentlemen only, ladies forbidden”? That’s a common old wives’ tale. Or, in this case, more likely an old husband’s tale. No, “golf” is not an acronym for “gentlemen only, ladies forbidden.” If you’ve ever heard that, forget it immediately. Better yet, find the person who told you and let them know it’s not true. Like most modern words, the word “golf” derives from older languages and dialects. In this case, the languages in question are medieval Dutch and old Scots. The medieval Dutch word “kolf” or “kolve” meant “club.” It is believed that word passed to the Scots, whose old Scots dialect transformed the word into “golve,” “gowl” or “gouf.” By the 16th Century, the word “golf” had emerged.