PGA History of Golf

The history of golf dates back to the 1400s when it developed from a more rudimentary stick-and-ball game. Through the centuries, the game changed significantly, with rules varying across different countries.

The greatest changes to the sport came in the 1800s when ball design and golf clubs evolved. During this period, a more formal structure was also introduced to the game with the establishment of tournaments such as the British Open, which offered prize money to the winners. Previously, golf was played mainly for fun, and the rewards usually came from bets among the players.

How Golf Became Popular

Initially, golf was most popular in regions around England and Scotland. The sport was introduced in the United States at the close of the 18th century. Throughout the 19th century, it remained relatively unpopular and trailed other sports such as horse racing and baseball, which had gained more ground in the U.S. The biggest shift in golf's popularity came later with the establishment of the Professional Golfers' Association of America in the early 1900s.

In the 1900s, the sport gradually became more popular in both Britain and the U.S., with more players participating in amateur and professional golf tournaments.

In 1916, Rodman Wanamaker, a wealthy businessman in the U.S., invited a group of professional and top amateur golfers to lay the groundwork for a professional association that would help increase revenue from the sport. An organizing committee was put in place to facilitate the establishment of the club. The committee included notable names such as James Hepburn, James Maiden, and Robert White.

Establishment of the PGA

The Professional Golfers' Association of America was formally launched on April 10, 1916, with 35 charter members and Robert White serving as the first president of the association. The association held its inaugural tournament from October 10 to 14 that same year at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville. James Barnes won this first PGA Championship. However, following the events of World War I, the PGA Championship was canceled for the next two years and resumed only in 1919.

With a membership totaling 28,000 professionals, the PGA prides itself on being the world's largest sports organization. As the largest body of golfers, the PGA serves to promote participation in the sport and its overall popularity.

In total, the association facilitates more than 30 tournaments each year, which include the popular and prestigious Ryder Cup, PGA National Championship, and the recently introduced Women's PGA Championship.

The PGA is currently headquartered in Florida and owns several properties, which include a museum of golf, training facilities, and several golf resorts. The services of the association are not limited to professional golfers only but also extend to amateurs and the golf industry as a whole.

In 1954, the PGA Foundation was established to support charitable efforts aimed at developing community-level golf. To become a member of the association, however, one is required to go through a series of checks. These include a three-level education system made up of seminars and written tests.