While modern golf is generally accepted to have developed in Scotland from the Middle Ages, its true origins are a subject of much debate, with strong evidence pointing to earlier Netherlandish precursors. A game called "colf" or "kolf" is mentioned in a 1261 Flemish manuscript, with apocryphal records suggesting a golf-like game played in the Netherlands as early as 1297. This popular game was even subject to bans by authorities in Brussels (1360) and Brielle (1387), indicating its widespread presence.

The game also traveled to the New World, with Dutch settlers playing "kolf" in Fort Orange (near present-day Albany, New York) by December 1650, notably continuing to play year-round, even on ice. This rich continental history suggests that various forms of stick-and-ball games, akin to golf, were enjoyed for centuries before the Scottish version gained international popularity in the late 19th century.