What trend occurred regarding golf courses in the U.S. by the end of the 19th century?

• A. There were hundreds
• B. There were thousands
• C. There were dozens
• D. There were none

Answer: (A)

Golf’s growing popularity across the United States led to a rapid rise in course building by the end of the 19th century. As more clubs formed in cities from the East Coast to the Midwest, courses expanded from simple nine-holers to more established layouts. The founding of the United States Golf Association in 1894 helped standardize rules and encourage competition, which in turn spurred further development of courses and clubs nationwide. All of this together explains why there were hundreds of golf courses by century’s end, not just a handful or none.