7. New Golf “rules” Had to be invented in Van Cortlandt Park in the ’70s
The New York City financial crisis of the 1970s left Van Cortlandt Park in a state of total neglect. Weeds and mosquitos took over the park, homeless people began squatting in the park, and new informal golf rules were developed there. According to the L.A. Times in 1985, “A player was allowed to drop his ball a club length away if it rolled up against an abandoned auto, or, in one case, a boat. To thwart robbers, besieged golfers quit playing in traditional foursomes and instead ventured forth in football-team-sized units. Some players added an extra club—a night stick—or tucked tear gas spray into their golf bags.”