Since most golf equipment was handcrafted it was, therefore, quite expensive and golf was dominated by wealthy. Once metal club heads and shafts and gutta percha balls (1848) began rolling off production lines, average person was able to afford golf.

The growth of golf as an organized competitive sport in United Kingdom was paralleled abroad in India and United States. In 1894, United States Golf Association (USGA) was established to regulate game in U.S. and Mexico.

By 1900 there were more than 1,000 golf courses in U.S. Chicago was first to sport 18 holes. Importantly, American golf courses were specifically designed like parklands unlike those in U.K., which were typically links courses.

The beginning of 20th century brought several technological innovations to game of golf. The one piece rubber-cored ball appeared in 1900, and grooved-faced irons were introduced in 1902. In 1905, William Taylor invented first dimpled ball and in 1910, steel-shafted clubs first appeared. Within a decade, golfers could hit further and with more accuracy than ever before using equipment which was mass produced rather inexpensively.

While there have been thousands of unbelievable golf shots throughout centuries, most famous golf shot must surely belong to Alan Shepard who hit a ball on moon in 1971, watched by an audience of millions around globe. Golf--the first sport is space! The club he used can be viewed in USGA museum in Far Hills, New Jersey.

As prize money grows, so does sport of golf itself. Millions of people around world now play sport, and other millions watch game religiously on television. Golf is a game for young and old, short and tall, thin and hefty. Golf is truly a "people's game," and continues to grow in popularity.

Once you have evaluated entire green, narrow your focus to area where you'll be putting. Visualize how you think ball is going to track. Imagine its precise path directly into hole. By starting with big picture and then narrowing it to a more manageable size, you take control.

Finally, think distance, not speed! While ultimate objective of getting your ball in hole doesn't change, a subtle shift in approach--emphasizing distance, not speed--can bring major improvement in your overall putting ability. Distance control comes primarily from symmetry of your stroke.

The ideal putting stroke moves as far backward as it does forward, with both parts of stroke in equal temp. This even rhythm can be achieved through a combination of diligent practice and real understanding that putter, not you, is responsible for doing work.

By keeping your head down and still, visualizing from broad to narrow before you putt and concentrate on distance rather than speed, you'll start making putts that you formerly missed.