Apparently, the Dutch had a game which was a lot like today’s miniature golf, called “kolf”. It was played widely in the last century-I assume it has died out?
Anyway, was it the ancestor of modern golf?
Here’s a data point:
Winter Scene with Figures Playing Kolf (17th C.)
*The figures in this painting are playing a Dutch game called “kolf,” a precursor to the Scottish game of golf. *
http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.asp?id=F.1972.35.P
OT: Spiny Norman introduced me to Kubb.
If I had anyone to play it with up here, I’d get a set.
EDIT: I hasten to point out that Spiny Norman isn’t Dutch, lest I receive a poke in the snot locker.
Well, what do I know. I’m Dutch, never heard of the sport, but found this Dutch Wikipedia pagesite on it. If you have any questions, I;ll try and translate from that page.
I also found an official Dutch Kolf League, and they have a page up also in English.So someone at least is still playing it.