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#71462 05/27/02 01:38 PM
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Is the origin of the word GOLF truly, as was just relayed to me, "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden"?


#71463 05/27/02 02:10 PM
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As is often the case with acronym origins one hears - unfortunately, no, that is an Old Wives' Tale, or what they now call Urban Legends. (I like Old Wives' Tale better, but I guess it's sexist!) Keep an eye out for those, once you are looking, everyone and their dog will be happy to tell you how certain words originated as acronyms. In general, acronyms becoming words was not really in vogue before WWI or WWII.

As I recall it's probably from Dutch kolf, to strike something, also the name of a game played by hitting balls with clubs.


#71464 05/27/02 02:15 PM
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Thanks for the info, I kinda, sorta thought that, just wanted to make sure and knew if I asked here I would get the correct answer.
Over and out.


#71465 05/27/02 08:32 PM
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> gentlemen only, ladies forbidden

I've heard this witty version of golf before too.
I like the (simple) idea behind the game, but I hate the elitist stance of the clubs. Years ago I was involved in the compiling of a guide to golf clubs in Northern Europe. I had to talk to people at countless clubs across Europe and boy were there some snotty whatnots. Clubs are such a waste of space in small countries like England too. Kids have a piddlely little postage stamp to play on, while endless acres of fairways remain closed to the public, where countless kids get chunked out or arrested every year just for trying to really use the land instead of having a handful of stinking rich overweight men waddle up and down after a little ball once or twice a day.

[/rant]


#71466 05/28/02 03:52 AM
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Anyone here know anything about Frisbee golf? A friend of mine plays it and says they have official courses and everything! I was amazed. My guess is that it is played much like golf, but instead of holes, they have baskets that you try and throw the frisbee into. More info appreciated.


#71467 05/28/02 05:03 AM
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Anyone here know anything about Frisbee golf? A friend of mine plays it and says they have official courses and everything!

Here is a site for the "Sawbill Frisbee Golf Association":
http://www.sawbill.com/sfga.html

You can click on info about their official courses with such interesting holes as:

Big rock to boat storage sign -- par 4
Canoe trailer to garbage truck -- par 3
or the ever popular par 4
RV shed to second horse in log house backyard

Hey, Sparteye, you think you could arrange a similar course around your place for Wordapalooza!?




#71468 05/28/02 11:13 AM
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Anyone here know anything about Frisbee golf?

What little I know about it is that it's an offshoot of Ultimate [Frisbee], which is a team game played with a Frisbee. I played it one summer. I was really bad. The people who play it are pretty intense, and maybe I just wasn't intense enough. It's like a cross between football (American) and basketball. You can't run with the Frisbee, and to score you have to successfully pass it to someone in the end zone. It has its own lingo but I've forgotten most of it. The guys wear skirts sometimes, to play.

Anyway, some Ultimate players decided to make up a golf-like game. Apparently you throw Frisbees into baskets. You have a selection of different sizes of Frisbees (like golf clubs!) depending on the sort of shot you have to make. Wind (in both games) is a very, very big factor. This sport was just starting up the year I started and quit Ultimate so I never did try it, I just had a friend who was into it.


#71469 05/28/02 06:13 PM
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I've played frisbee golf many times... one of my favorite sports... but you gotta have a lotta land to make it a challenge for anyone with some skills.

Consuelo - you really got all you need to know other than different discs for different shots!


#71470 05/28/02 08:13 PM
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I love it when you guys talk about playing. . .


#71471 05/28/02 08:27 PM
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There is nothing like a *good sports thread! Nothing!


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