The Probert Encyclopaedia of Recreation

CURLING

Curling or the Roaring Game is a Scottish national game akin to bowls played with large smooth stones having somewhat the shape of a flattened hemisphere, weighing from 80 to 45 lbs. each, with an iron or wooden handle at the top, from one mark to another on the ice. Curling is said to have been introduced from the Low Countries in the 16th century.

The space within which the stones move is called the rink, and the hole or mark at each end the tee. The length of the rink from tee to tee varies from 30 to 50 yards. The players are arranged in two parties, each headed by a skip or director. The number of players upon a rink is eight or sixteen - eight when the players use two stones each, and sixteen when they use one stone each. There may be one or more rinks according to the number of curlers. The object of the player is to lay his stone as near to the mark as possible, to guard that of his partner which has been well laid before, or to strike off that of his antagonist. When the stones on both sides have been all played the stone nearest the tee counts one, and if the second, third, fourth, etc, belong to the same side, each counts one more, the number played for being generally twenty-one. If a player's stone does not cross a line, called the hog-score, at some distance in front of the tee his shot goes for nothing and the stone is removed from the rink. The set matches are termed bonspiels. Since the 19th century the game has been played in England, Canada, the USA and elsewhere.
Research Curling