When was golf invented?

The exact origin of golf is not clear, but it is thought to have first been played in the 14th or 15th century A.D. in Scotland. It may have evolved from the Dutch "kolf," a somewhat similar game played on frozen canals.

It is possible that "kolf" was brought from Holland to Scotland in the 14th century, as there was an active trade between the two countries. However, there is no solid historical evidence to verify this theory. There are also records of similar games being played even earlier in Persia and China, but golf as it exists in its modern form originates from Scotland at some point during the Middle Ages.