China: The birthplace of Golf? describes the Chinese game of Chui-Wan, which at the very least is a forerunner of golf. In the opinion of the authors the evidence is clear that the principles of Chui-Wan and golf are the same However, the first rules of golf according to the western viewpoint were drawn up at St Andrews in 1754 and consisted of 13 hand-written lines. The rules of Chui-Wan were written in 1282, 472 years before those in Scotland. However, the game was played in China during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). The first mention of golf in Scotland was 1452.

What is incredible is the book Wan-Jing, written in1282. Whereas Scottish rules were 13 in number, Wan-Jing includes 32 chapters. It includes the rules of Chui-Wan, the geographical requirements of the game; advice with respect to courtesy, fair play and sportsmanship, psychological tactics and equipment. It is the first work in history on the psychology of sport, as well as ethics and sportsmanship. It was translated by one of the authors, Dr Lingyu Xie.