01
Bobby Jones won everything. Then he walked away.
In one season, Jones captured the U.S. Open, The Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the Amateur Championship. His victory at Merion completed a Grand Slam unlike any other.
Read the story THE STORY BEHIND THE GAME
Golf's past.
Still in play.
Stroke of History tells the human stories behind golf: the players, breakthroughs, rivalries and courses that shaped the game. On Instagram, we share short chapters and invite conversation. On TikTok and YouTube, we bring defining moments to life in videos.
This website is the home for the deeper stories. Follow the timeline, explore 100 remarkable courses, discover pivotal women in golf, and read our ranking of the greatest golfers—with photographs and a source guide for further reading.
Explore the archiveTHE GAME HAS A PAST. EVERY ROUND ADDS TO IT.· THE LINKS
THE FEATURED STORY / BUBBA WATSONPine straw.
Pine straw.
A 40-yard hook.
A Green Jacket.
On the second playoff hole of the 2012 Masters, Watson was blocked by trees. His bending wedge from 155 yards turned trouble into the shot that won his first major.
Read the full story Watch the original Instagram reel ↗Browse all featured stories →THE CLUBHOUSE CHALLENGE
Take the golf history quiz →Think you know golf history?
Eight questions, from the Old Course to the 2008 U.S. Open. Take your shot, discover the stories, and challenge a golf friend to beat your score.
01 / STORIES WORTH RETELLING
Moments that stayed with us.
Great golf stories live beyond the final putt. Start with three that changed how the game is remembered.
02
Se Ri Pak's rookie year changed the game.
She arrived on the LPGA Tour and won two majors in her first season. Her U.S. Women's Open victory became a defining moment for a new generation of golfers.
Read the story03
Why does golf have 18 holes?
At St Andrews, the Old Course was shortened from 22 holes to 18. The change eventually became the standard round played around the world.
Read the story02 / EXPLORE THE ARCHIVEChoose your path
Choose your path
through the game.
From the game's earliest chapters to the names that reshaped it.
Choose a collection
Select a collection to explore its stories.
03 / THE HISTORY OF GOLFFrom the first record
From the first record
to today.
Golf's beginnings have no single known date. Follow the documented milestones and open each chapter to read the story.
Golf enters the written recordScotland's parliament tries to stop the game.+The first written rulesThirteen articles give competition a common framework.+St Andrews becomes 18 holesA change on the Old Course shapes the standard round.+The Open begins at PrestwickEight professionals compete for the Challenge Belt.+The Claret Jug is presentedThe trophy that became golf's most recognizable prize.+American golf gets its governing bodyThe USGA forms, then holds its first championships.+Golf reaches the OlympicsMen and women compete in Paris.+Bobby Jones completes the Grand SlamFour defining championships in one season.+The LPGA is foundedThirteen players build a professional home for women's golf.+Se Ri Pak inspires a generationA rookie wins two majors and changes the sport's reach.+Tiger Woods wins at Torrey PinesAn injured champion survives 91 holes.+Golf returns to the OlympicsRio ends a 112-year absence.+The story continuesNew champions add to centuries of golf history.+
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