How many times have we played a round of golf and said to a playing partner, “nice birdie” or “that was a good par.” We do it all the time, but have you ever wondered where these terms originated? Have they always been part of the history of the game or is it a new verbiage?
Recently, I was watching a television program on the Golf Channel called Golf in America. In one of their segments they told the story of where the term “Birdie” came from. Most of us know a birdie to be a one under par score on a golf hole. So that got me thinking, where did the other commonly used scoring terms originate, and when? I do not want to rewrite the history or stories behind each term so I am providing a link to a website that will give you the information, which is very interesting. I recommend that you take a few minutes to read about the origins, so the next time you say “nice birdie” to a playing partner, it will mean a little more.
Bogey – Developed in England in the 19th Century
Par- 1870 at Prestwick Golf Club for the Open Championship
Birdie –1962 at Atlantic City Country Club by Ab Smith
Eagle – an extension of the “Bird” theme also claimed by Ab Smith
Double Eagle or Albatross – Who else? Yep, Ab Smith
Double and Triple Bogeys – There is no documented first use of these terms – they are an extension of bogey.
http://www.scottishgolfhistory.net/bogey_par.htm
2010
Butler Cabin, Augusta National (c) Burgh Golfer
You forgot one:
ReplyDeleteDouble Par- when your wife scores 10 or more or a par 5.