RYDER CUP TRIVIA SO WHY’S IT CALLED A BIRDIE? That and other fascinating golf facts to work into conversation during this weekend’s Ryder Cup 1. The highest score recorded in The Open Championship is 121 by Maurice Flitcroft in 1976. He was a crane driver who tricked his way into the competition to the anger of the organisers, who banned him from future tournaments. 2. Tiger Woods’ nickname is in honour of his father’s army friend Colonel Vuong Dang Phong, who was also known as Tiger. 3. The term birdie dates from 1899 when a player at Atlantic City Country Club in New Jersey hit a bird with his first shot on a par four. His second finished just inches from the hole, prompting his companions to call it “a bird of a shot”. 4. An albatross is three under, but it’s possible to score a condor – an ace on a par five. This has only been verified four times, and never in professional play. 5. Until the early 20th century the dimples on a golf ball went outwards. 6. Phil Mickelson is right-handed – he only plays left-handed because he learnt as a toddler by standing opposite his father to mirror his swing. 7. Before the Twenties, tees were a sand mound. The first successful tee was designed by dentist William Lowell, who used wood and the rubber that was used to make false teeth. 8. US President Woodrow Wilson used to have golf balls painted black so he could play on the White House lawn during snow. 9. Samuel L Jackson has a clause in all his movie contracts that allows him to play golf twice a week during filming. 10. During the Second World War, Richmond Golf Club amended its regulations to include “While bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty” and “A player whose stroke is affected by an explosion may play another ball from the same place. Penalty one stroke.” 11. Balls travel further on hot days – an increase of 25 degrees Fahrenheit can add 8 yards. 12. A golf hole is 4.25 inches in diameter, and 4 inches from top to bottom. 13. Golf was banned in Scotland by James II because it distracted men from their military training for the wars against England.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:42:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015