The game of golf has changed a great deal since the turn of the 20th century but one thing which has not altered is the manner in which it affects the lives of all its followers. Golf is much more than a game for countless millions of players all over the world. It has become a passion. A magnificent obsession which transcends the boundaries of most other sports and which comes to dominate all our lives.

Within A History of Golf, former European Ryder Cup captain, Bernard Gallacher, charts the development of the game from its earliest beginnings on the eastern seaboard of Scotland right through to the present day.Within the use of rare archive footage, we recall the great players of the past - Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead amongst them - before advancing through to the current giants spearheaded by multiple Major winner Tiger Woods, eight times European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie and US Masters champion Phil Mickelson, via the epic rivalry between Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player which sparked the boom era of golf.

Featuring exclusive interviews with many of the greats and extended swing analysis of the top greats and extended swing analysis of the top players by 'Doctor Golf' John Jacobs, the programme also captures the best moments from the century that have inspired us all. From the intense Ryder Cup rivalry to the epic Watson and Nicklaus duels, from Henry Cotton's Open to John Daly at Crooked Stick and from the irrepressible Gary Player to the incredible Tiger Woods who held all four Majors in one year arguably signalling golf's greatest ever achievement. Brought right up to date, we feature Europe's success in the 2002 and 2004 Ryder Cups and include highlights of the 2005 Open Championship from St Andrew's and the 2006 US Masters.