VIAJES DE GOLF

Golf the links where it all began in Great Britain and Ireland. Global Voyager can arrange your golfing trip to Scotland, England or Ireland. If you prefer a warmer climate, Global Voyager can send you golfing in the sunny Caribbean.

The Origins of Golf
The origin of the modern game of golf is widely attributed to have begun in Scotland. Many ancient civilizations have contributed to games using a ball and club but it is in Scotland that the modern game of golf was born. In the 15th century in the Netherlands a game called "kolf" was played. In England the game was called "goff" and in Scotland the game was called "gowf".

The modern game of golf really began in the mid 18th century at the Mecca of golf in St. Andrews Scotland. It was at this time the makers of many of the great golf clubs and balls were first founded. It was also during this time that top players began to compete at regular tournaments where distinctions were made between amateur and professional players. Allan Roberson from St. Andrews, who was perhaps the first golf professional, was the first player to break 80 on what is now the Old Course of St. Andrews in 1853.

James Patterson in 1848 developed a "gutty percha" based golf ball that was much more durable than its predecessors; this improvement contributed to the development of iron-faced clubs. Greater access to St. Andrews came with a railway connection in 1852, and in consequence the now famous St. Andrews clubhouse was built. In the year 1851 Tom Morris went to Prestwick to build the first purposely built golf course in Monkton parish. In that same year his son of the same name was born; he would later become an innovative force in the game of golf. It was during his time that irons began to be used for driving, lofting, jiggering and putting.

From the end of the 19th century until the beginning of the 20th century three players dominated golf, winning 16 open titles and coming in second 13 times. John Henry Taylor was from Devon England; Harry Vardon was from the Channel Island or Jersey; and James Braid who was Earlsferry, Scotland. Golf was becoming an international sport; Taylor and Vardon competed in the now emerging sport in the United States, Braid preferred to stay in Scotland where he also designed golf courses. With the growing popularity of golf in the United States many Scottish golfers found they could earn a good living as a professional across the Atlantic.

The Great War decimated the golfing ranks in Scotland and many of those that did survive left for America. In the 30´s American players began competing in Scotland with a flair and lifestyle that transformed the game of golf. Scotland was still producing great players such as George Duncan but it seemed that golf was slowly leaving the nation of its birth.

At the end of World War II another blow to Scottish golf occurred, but this time to many of the golf courses themselves. During the war to prevent an invasion anti- tank and anti-landing structures were built in many areas of the links and golf was suspended during the war. After the war golf was firmly becoming established in the United States where the sheer number of players resulted in many becoming world-class champions. Although US players dominated in general, the British Open was an exception immediately following the war.

The 1960’s brought more famous American players with the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. It wasn’t until 1979 that a European star with flair emerged when Seve Ballesteros from Spain edged out Jack Nicklaus to capture the British Open.

Although today golf is still dominated by American players there are star players from all over the world. The game of golf is truly an international sport.

Caribbean Golf
Caribbean golf is improving every year with top golf architects designing courses in these island paradises. Take a tropical golf vacation where you can enjoy the sun and gaze over the ocean. The Caribbean offers many world-class courses and Global Voyager can get you there.

Global Voyager Golf Trips - Custom Made
A Global Voyager golfing trip is custom made. Our customers will be additionally furnished with an information kit. The kit contains necessary details about the destination place such as: geographical information, political situation, visa requirements, vaccinations, currency and exchange rates, time, electricity, credit cards, American and Canadian embassy addresses and telephones, transportation, local telephones, local holidays, health, food, natural and recreational hazards, local maps, dangers and annoyances and much more.