The History of Golf in Scotland
Golf is as integral a part of Scotland
today as it was as far back as the 15th century when, the game of
‘gowf’, as it was known in those days, was banned by Parliament
under King James II as a distraction from military training.
Fortunately the ban was lifted when the Treaty of Glasgow came into
effect in 1502 and the game has gone from strength to strength ever
since.
Records show that golf was played at Scotland’s
(and in fact the world’s) oldest course, Musselburgh Links, The Old Course, as early as
1672. However it is claimed that Mary Queen of Scots played the
game as early as 1567.
Development of the modern
game
Between 1750 and 1850, golf developed into the
game as we know it today with the establishment of some of the
world’s most prominent golf clubs. On 7 March 1744, the Honourable
Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world’s oldest golf club, which
now resides at Muirfield, officially came into being at Leith
Links. In the same year they drafted the first 13 rules of golf to
compete for a silver golf club, presented by the City of Edinburgh,
over Leith Links.
Origins of the 'Royal &
Ancient'
This set a precedent for future golf competitions
and on 14 May, 1754, 22 
‘Noblemen and Gentlemen’ formed the Society of St
Andrews Golfers and contributed to a silver club to be played for
annually over the
Links of St Andrews. St Andrews golfers adopted the rules of
their counterparts in Leith and 20 years later changed their name
to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The R&A is
now the rulemaking body for golf throughout the world, apart from
the USA and Mexico.
Over the next century a number of events took
place in St Andrews which encouraged the evolution of the game. In
1764, the Links, which later became known as the Old Course, was
reduced from 22 holes to 18 and that gradually became accepted as
the standard format for golf courses. The “gutta percha” ball was
developed in the town by Robert Paterson and its durability
encouraged the development of iron-faced clubs and so continued the
process of evolution.
The evolution of the game
A key figure in developing the game in St Andrews
and Scotland was Old Tom Morris. To this day, he holds the British
Open record for oldest champion at the age of 46 in 1867 and
greatest margin of victory, 13 in 1862. But he is equally well
remembered for his pioneering work in course architecture. Credited
with inventing the dogleg, his contribution in Scotland included
many of the world’s best-known courses such as the Old and New
Courses in St Andrews, Carnoustie,
Nairn and Royal
Dornoch.
James Braid
Scotland’s next true giant to emerge in course
design was James Braid. Born in Earlsferry, Fife, in 1870, Braid
became a professional golfer in 1896, pioneered the use of
aluminium-headed putters and became one of the ‘Great Triumvirate’
who would dominate British golf in the early years of the 20th
century. Braid followed in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris to
become a legend in course design. He was responsible for more than
250 courses throughout the British Isles including the world-famous
King’s and Queen’s Courses at Gleneagles.
The first Open in 1860
The evolution of golf progressed quickly in
Scotland and in 1860 the first Open Championship was held at
Prestwick, contested by eight leading professionals. The first
winner was Willie Park for which he received a red Morocco leather
belt with silver clasps as the first prize. The Open continued to
be held at Prestwick for 11 years.
