Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Origins of the Game
The oldest documented evidence of a game of golf being played dates from 1456, refer-
ring to Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh. The game itself is much older - depending on
which version you believe, it may have its origins in Roman times, or in medieval China,
or it may have been invented in Scotland in the 12th century; some sources claim it was
introduced to Scotland from the Low Countries.
Whatever its origins, there is no denying that golf was first systematised and given a set
of official rules in Scotland in the 18th century. The country is home to the world's oldest
golf course, its oldest golf club and the sport's governing body (except for the USA and
Mexico, where the PGA holds sway), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Leith Links
Although St Andrews claims seniority in having the oldest golf course in the world, it was
at Leith Links in 1744 that the first official rules of the game were formulated by the
Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers - these 13 rules formed the basis of the mod-
ern game. Back then, the game was played over five holes, each being around 400 yards.
Rule No 9 gives some insight into the 18th-century sport - 'If a ball be stop'd by any per-
son, Horse, Dog or anything else, the Ball so stop'd must be played where it lyes'. The
original document is in the National Library of Scotland and the Honorable Company is
now the famous Muirfield Golf Club.
St Andrews
St Andrews is the headquarters of the game's
governing body, the Royal and Ancient, and the
location of the world's oldest and most famous
golf course, the Old Course. The earliest written
evidence of golf being played on the links at St
Andrews dates from 1552, but the present
course layout took form in the 1860s when Old
Tom Morris had a hand in its design. One of the
course's many unusual features is its double
greens: seven of the greens have two holes
each. And then there's the Road Hole, the 17th
Golf Courses
1 AILSA COURSE, TURNBERRY
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