Polsgolf

Polsgolf is a traditional Scottish game played with a ball and a club, often described as a precursor to modern golf. It is primarily associated with the Shetland Islands. The game involves players hitting a small, hard ball, often made of wood or stone, with a wooden club or stick. The objective is to strike the ball along a designated course, typically a stretch of coastline or linksland, with the fewest possible strokes. There are no formal holes in the ground as in contemporary golf; instead, the game might involve hitting the ball to a specific landmark or over a certain distance. The rules and playing areas of polsgolf were often informal and varied from place to place. The game was popular in rural communities, especially among farmers and fishermen, as a pastime and a way to socialize. While not as widely played today, it remains a significant part of Shetland's cultural heritage, with some efforts made to preserve and revive the tradition. It offers a glimpse into the history of ball sports and the development of games played on natural landscapes.