| The answer to the question of where the first | | | | including the state of Hawaii. |
| U.S. golf course was located is not so easily | | | | |
| answered. Several areas of the United States | | | | Who gets to say what a golf course is or |
| have an unofficial claim to having the first | | | | should be? |
| U.S. golf course. | | | | |
| | | | As for the rules of golf, two organizations |
| For instance, some golf historians place the | | | | make most of the decisions about golf courses |
| first golf course and club in the United | | | | and how they are to be laid out for |
| States in South Carolina. There is also a | | | | competition. The R&A (The Royal and Ancient |
| reference to playing golf in the government | | | | Golf Club) governs golf around the world, |
| records near Albany, New York in 1659. Both | | | | except for the U. S. and Mexico, where the |
| have valid arguments, it is only the | | | | USGA (United States Golf Association) holds |
| definition of just playing golf, or having a | | | | the key. |
| formal golf course built that may be in | | | | |
| debate. | | | | How big should a golf course be? |
| | | | |
| Another issue is, where was the first 18-hole | | | | In reality, a golf course could be almost any |
| course in the U. S. built? Officially, the | | | | size, because golf, unlike many other sports, |
| first 18-hole golf course was constructed | | | | does not have a strictly defined court or |
| near Chicago in 1893. This was a very popular | | | | playing field. The R&A, USGA and golf course |
| golf course to the residents of Chicago and | | | | builders try to make the sport challenging |
| those that lived close to the city. | | | | yet enjoyable, so a course that is too long |
| | | | or too short is usually not acceptable. |
| Yet, history also shows that the first | | | | Natural terrain has a lot to do with the |
| permanent club in North America was in | | | | length and difficulty of a course. |
| Canada. Even if a golf course was well known, | | | | |
| what course endured is also a valid factor | | | | As new earth moving technology persists, an |
| when considering what golf course was | | | | increasing number of golf courses are being |
| worthwhile enough historically, to be counted | | | | built in the United States. With so many to |
| as "the first golf course". | | | | choose from, any golf course that can claim |
| | | | to have the coveted title of the first golf |
| By some counts, the United States now has as | | | | course in the U.S. certainly has a distinct |
| many golf courses as the rest of the world | | | | advantage . |
| combined. This would include all the states, | | | | |