The exact origins of golf are debateable however it can be assumed with relative certainty that the modern game of golf evolved from the game that the Scots played as far back as the 15th Century.
According to the earliest records, the early version of golf was banned by the Scottish monarch, James II in 1457. The banning of golf was due to the fact that many soldiers were committing their time to the game of golf instead of focusing on fending off potential attacks by the English.
The ban on golf was lifted in 1502 when the Treaty of Perpetual Peace between England and Scotland was signed, and with it the game’s prominence spread throughout England. The bans were again imposed in the Acts of 1471 and 1491, the latter of which was imposed by King James IV who later became enamoured by the game in the 1500s.
Golf was permitted openly in the seventeenth century by James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England after he became an enthusiastic player of the game.
During this time, the game of golf was played on unconventional and unkempt grounds lacking any greens, while the holes comprised open spaces that were relatively flat. There was no indication or reference for that matter that there were elaborate courses or that lawns were manicured.
The uncontested, first true golf course was located in St. Andrews, Scotland with documentation stating that the links course was modified to what is now a standard 18-hole golf course in 1764 when members changed it from a 22-hole to an 18-hole course.
From the onset of the game, betting was socially accepted and became a burgeoning practice. During the mid-18th century, restrictions on golf betting were imposed by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers limiting the amount of money the aristocratic class were allowed to bet on golf, even though the restrictions were seldom observed. A particular case stood out in the 19th century, Sir David Moncreiffe and John Whyte-Melville struck a golf bet that involved higher stakes, their lives.
As modern-day golf became increasingly popular, golf betting also became prominent especially with the introduction of the major championships. The four prestigious tournaments comprise The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (referred to in North America as the British Open) and the PGA Championship.
The burgeoning golf betting industry continues to expand due to the fact that it’s in the top ten list of most popular international sport. In addition, the advent of online sports betting has allowed golf betting to be accessed by a substantially greater fan base.
One of the major thrills of watching golf is the opportunity of backing your favourite players by betting on their victory, whether you favour the outright where you predict the winner of the tournament or the 2/3 ball bet.
The 2/3 ball bet is ideal for those who follow a player that won’t necessarily win the tournament but will in all likelihood beat the opponents who tee off alongside him by attaining the lowest single round score over 18 holes.
Over and above the two bets mentioned above you’ll also find a variety of exciting bets available on Sunbet’s website such as Tournament Head to Head, which allows you to pit one player against another for a better overall tournament finish and Lowest Round of the Day where you’ll be able to pick the player that you fancy to score the lowest round.
