What’s the Yardage

Historians have debated the origin of the game for a long time. Was it the Dutch playing a game with a stick and leather ball which the winner was whoever hit the ball with the fewest strokes into a target several hundred yards away? Or, was it the documented Scottish game gowf played since the 1400s? Whatever the case, I am willing to wager, it was only minutes after the first club was swung, the thought “How far?” followed.

Knowing the distance has always been a key part of the game. Years ago, long before the GPS and laser rangefinders, the main way to know how far was stakes on the side of the fairway; blue (200yds), white (150yds) and red (100yds). Next in the evolution of distance indicators, sprinkler heads, more sprinklers the better your chances picking the right club.

Although, Deane Beman was creating his own yardage book as early as mid 50s, and the concept was commonly used by tour pros starting in the 70s. However, it was not until the mid to late 1980s, that yardage books were sold over the counter to the average golfer to help them navigate the course.

Below are a few of my yardage books of courses I have played 25 to 35 years age. Part of the golf memorabilia found deep inside my Burton golf bags when I picked the game up again in 2014.