The Industrial Revolution first hit England in the 1800s. It was a transitional period during which a great shift happened in the global economy which changed from a basic agrarian economy to a more industrialized economy. Industrial Revolution touched every sphere of life – and it impacted sports as well.

The Industrial Revolution, particularly the Second Industrial Revolution (late 19^th Century to early 20^th Century) brought sweeping changes in the game of golf. Golf, which was originally a Scottish game, meant only for leisurely pastime, played mainly by the nobleites and elites of the Scottish society, was now about to be flourished and developed to a more mainstream sport in a more global manner. The main credit is obviously to be given to the scientific discoveries, and to the technological and societal changes that came with the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization, driven by the introduction of machineries and technology made the manufacturing of equipment easy and more affordable to start with. Not just that, the sport became easily accessible to different layers of the society, and was not stuck to the nobleites.

Here are ways in which the sport of game developed during the Industrial Revolution in several different ways and gradually became what it is today:

Wooden Shafts vs Metal Shafts

1. Mass production of golf equipment: From the medieval Scottish times, when the game was first introduced in 1457 among the Scottish elites, the golf clubs and balls were handcrafted by artisans with wooden shafts, especially hickory, and heads. As the process of manufacturing was artisanal, the process was no only expensive but was also time consuming. As standardized production became possible during the Industrial revolution due to the introduction of machines, production of golf clubs became easy, thereby reducing production cost and increasing availability.

Featherie Balls vs Gutta-Percha balls

2. A shift from the traditional “Featherie” balls to “Gutta-Percha ball”: The traditional “featherie” balls that were in fashion till the 1850s, were priced from 2-5 shillings, which is, in today’s currency, approximately US $32 dollars. The Featherie balls were handcrafted by filling leather pouches with softened goose or chicken feathers, and the balls were sewn after that. This process was time taking, and thus the balls were very costly. The featherie balls were also subject to easy damage. During the Industrial Revolution, the “gutta-percha balls” were introduced. These balls were not just manufactured in large numbers in less time, but were also more durable. Thus, these balls improved performance during a golf tournament.

3. Standardization of Golf Equipment: Golf was meant only for the elites from the time it was introduced. The golf equipment that the elites used were custom made for them by artisans. The golf equipment varied greatly and were uniquely made. This led to significant variation in the performances of the golfers in the ancient times. Due to the mass production of golf balls and equipment, the new trends of golf club and golf ball making leveled the playing field for golfers. The change in the mode of production of golf clubs and golf balls made the rounds of golf fair and consistent, and reduced the variation of performance among golfers.

Middle Class Society playing Golf as a pastime

4. Introduction of golf to the rising middle-class society: The rise and development of a new strata of the society – the middle class, was facilitated due to the Industrial Revolution. These middle-class people, who worked in the rising factories and industries were propertied men with money, and therefore, these people could afford leisure time. The game of golf became more mainstream in the hands of these propertied middle-class people who played golf during their leisure. During this period, the game of golf started to become a mode of expanding business networks among potential clients. As golf became associated more with the upper and middle class people, it attained a prestigious stature and attracted more players by providing recreational approach in the beautiful countryside, where golf courses were developed.

5. Development of new golf courses due to rapid urbanization: Industrial development goes hand in hand with rapid urbanization, as growth of industries needed more and more urban centres for the selling and buying of industry manufactured products. The growth of urbanization facilitated the development of new golf courses in public parks and sub-urban centres.

Improved Golf Clothing and Gear during Industrial Revolution

6. Improved clothing and gear specialized for golf: Textile industry was the first industry to be impacted by the Industrial Revolution. The newly invented and utilized machines in the textile industries produced affordable clothing suitable for golf in masses. These golf specific clothes were cheaper and had better fit and comfortability when the golfers wore them and played golf. Golfers also got access to more specialized fabrics like wool blends and cotton clothes, specific to season and comfort. Gradually, the introduction of water-resistant and stretchable textile materials helped golfers to adapt to weather and climate conditions of various golf courses. Plus fours, knickerbockers, and tweeted jackets slowly became the fashion for golf, alongside the mass production of shoes with spiked soles and leather, made specifically for golf.

Major Sports Companies that emerged during the Industrial Revolution

7. Sports goods companies: New sports companies began to emerge during the Industrial Revolution. Companies like Spalding and Dunlop capitalized industrial tools and used metals and metallurgical processes to produce golf clubs, golf equipment and gears.

Edwin Budding: Inventor of Steam Powered Lawn Mower (1830)

8. Course maintenance: The introduction of machines with modern technologies were brought into use in the newly opened golf courses all over the world. Steam powered mowers, invented by Edwin Budding in 1830, proved to be revolutionary in maintenance of fairways and greens. Greenkeeping emerged as a new profession with new courses and knowledge, thanks to the Industrial Revolution.

As printing was revolutionized during the Industrial Revolution, mass printing of golf rules and etiquettes occurred during this time, and these books were bought by the upper and middle class people who played golf. Not only that, as transport was facilitated for buying and selling of the industry produced goods, the game of golf slowly attained a national and even gradually, an international recognition as golfers started to travel to the different golf courses inside and outside their countries to play different amateur tournaments.

Golf slowly became an integral part of the growing consumer culture. This again, was helped by the growth of print media during the Industrial Revolution, reinforced by advertisement and sporting publications all over the word. The Industrial Revolution reshaped the game of golf. Once a sport of the niche elite of Scotland, now became global, popular among almost every strata of the society, and gradually took the shape of what it has become today.