Golf Playing Through: Golf, the Canadian Story

Holing Out  

The game of golf is so much a part of our society that terms from the language of golf have become part of everyday speech, such as, "that's par for the course," and "stymied." In the game of golf the "stymie" describes a condition on the putting green when a player's ball lies between the opponent's ball and the hole (see Figure 33). Although the original stymie rule was discontinued in 1953, we are still "stymied" in life by a situation that is not easily resolved.

Stymie - 994.9.24 - CD97-385-065
Figure 33: "Stymie" describes a condition on the putting green when a player's ball lies between the opponent's ball and the hole. Detail from "The Golf Match between the Quebec and Montreal Clubs, on Fletcher's Field, Montreal," Canadian Illustrated News, October 1880.
CMC 994.9.24

Objects with a golfing theme also pervade our material possessions. Golfers not only seek legitimate golfing accessories such as clothes and umbrellas, and the more frivolous gold-plated putters, but also an incredible range of golfing ephemera including ceramics, toys, postcards, place-mats, and even chocolate golf balls!

Sugar Bowl - 980.111.336.2 - CD94-425-075
Figure 34: Ceramic sugar bowl with golf motif, made by Copeland & Sons, England, imported by A.T. Wiley & Co., Ltd., Montreal, about 1900 to 1910.
CMC 980.111.336.2


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