what year was golf first mentioned in scotland

Why is golf so popular in Scotland?

The earliest references to golf in Scottish official records are either to ban it or to condemn those playing it. The first documented mention is in Edinburgh on 6th March 1457, when King James II banned 'ye golf', to encourage archery practice. This royal ban was repeated in 1471 by his son, James III, and again in 1491 by his grandson, James IV.

Did golf originate in Scotland?

Dec 01, 2017 · The first noted mention as a possible standard is in the Treasurer's Accounts for King James IV's navy in 1513. The first incontrovertible example as the flag of today is not until c1542 in Armorial of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, which is long after the first recorded golf games and named golfers. 6. Bagpipes 1547

What part of Scotland did golf originate?

The first golf club formed outside Scotland was the Royal Blackheath (near London) in 1766. The first golf club outside Britain was the Bangalore, India (1820). Others quickly followed included the Royal Curragh, Ireland (1856), the Adelaide (1870), Royal Montreal (1873), Cape Town (1885), St Andrew’s of New York (1888) and Royal Hong Kong ...

Where was the first golf course in Scotland?

The first documented mention of golf in Scotland appears in a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament, an edict issued by King James II of Scotland prohibiting the playing of the games of gowf and futball as these were a distraction from archery practice for military purposes.

When did golf start in Scotland?

The first record of golf in Scotland dates back to the 15th century. In 1457, golf was banned by parliament as it was seen as a distraction from military training. The ban was repealed in 1502 and King James IV made the first documented purchase of golf clubs in the same year.Aug 29, 2014

When was the first golf game mentioned?

The modern game of golf originated in 15th century Scotland. The 18-hole round was created at the Old Course at St Andrews in 1764....Golf.A golfer in the finishing position after hitting a tee shotHighest governing bodyThe R&A USGA IGFFirst played15th century, Kingdom of ScotlandCharacteristics6 more rows

Who invented golf in Scotland?

Spreading the game outwith Scotland Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the king's eldest son, was playing golf in 1606. The Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins from these Scottish noblemen, thus claiming a pre-1745 foundation date.

What is the name of the oldest golf course in Scotland?

the St Andrews Old Course1. St Andrews - 1552. There is evidence of golf being played on the site of the St Andrews Old Course as far back at 1552, making it the oldest in the world.Jul 30, 2021

How did golf start in Scotland?

Golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.

Why is golf named golf?

The word 'golf' is not an acronym for anything. Rather, it derives linguistically from the Dutch word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' meaning quite simply 'club. ' In the Scottish dialect of the late 14th or early 15th century, the Dutch term became 'goff' or 'gouff,' and only later in the 16th century 'golf. '

What is golf called in Scotland?

People wrote phonetically. Goff, gowf, golf, goif, goiff, gof, gowfe, gouff and golve have all been found in Scottish documents. The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'.

Where was the birthplace of golf?

St. Andrews, ScotlandAndrews, Scotland: See the place where golf was born and Will and Kate fell in love. Tiny St. Andrews has a huge reputation, known around the world as the birthplace and royal seat of golf.Oct 24, 2019

What is the oldest golf course in the world?

The Old Course at St Andrews LinksThe Old Course at St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, UK, is the oldest golf course in the world. Archbishop Hamilton's Charter in 1552 is the earliest documentary evidence that allowed the people of St Andrews to play golf on the Links.

When was St Andrews golf Club founded?

1754St Andrews along with being the 'home of golf' is the home for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which was founded in 1754. Initially known as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, the R&A GC was started by 22 noblemen, landowners and professors.Jul 9, 2019

When was golf first played at St Andrews?

Golf has been played at St Andrews Links for 600 years. In 1552 Archbishop Hamilton's Charter recognised the right of the people of St Andrews to play golf at the Links....Old Course figures.GreensMeasurement8 and 1030,063 sq feet177,078 sq feet1815,570 sq feet1 more row

Who owns St Andrews golf course Scotland?

Kohler Co.- Kohler Co. has acquired the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in St. Andrews, Scotland, along with Golf Resorts International. With this purchase, Kohler Co. will own and operate the Old Course Hotel, the nearby Dukes Golf Course, as well as the spa and two full-service restaurants located within the hotel.

What is the spelling of golf?

became the usual spellings during the Early Modern Period. The Scottish National Dictionary states that " golf represents a revival of the Middle Scots form; Loudoun Gowf Club, Newmilns, retains the old form in its title"; i.e. the spelling changed from Medieval golf to Early Modern gowf, and then back again.

What is the spelling of golf in the 1470 Act?

The 1470 Act, in the reign of James III, again uses the spelling golf, but the 1491 Act, in the reign of James IV, spells it gouff'. code: gla promoted to code: gd. ; and variants such as gowf. code: gla promoted to code: gd.

What is the oldest golf course in Scotland?

To many golfers, the Old Course at St Andrews, an ancient links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage. There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry and Royal Troon.

How many golf courses are there in Scotland?

One thing is certain — the game of golf as we know it was born in Scotland". Scotland has 587 courses. The highest concentrations are around Glasgow (94 courses) and Edinburgh (67 courses), since these two cities and their environs account for the bulk of the population.

What is the R&A golf club?

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, known as the R&A, was the world governing body for the game (except in the United States and Mexico). The R&A, a separate organisation from the club, was created in 2004 as the governing body.

Why is golf important in Scotland?

Golf is a vital part of Scotland’s economy and vitally important to our nation’s psyche.

Where did James VI play golf?

Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the king's eldest son, was playing golf in 1606. The Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins from these Scottish noblemen, thus claiming a pre-1745 foundation date. Although it is certainly the oldest English golf club, and the oldest outwith Scotland, there is no evidence that it is the oldest golf club in the world, as is sometimes claimed. This accolade is claimed by The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh who date back to 1735.

When was the royal ban lifted?

This royal ban was repeated in 1471 by his son, James III, and again in 1491 by his grandson, James IV. Even when the ban was unofficially lifted in 1502 in Perth, there was over a century of complaints and convictions by the Kirk, from 1580 until 1724, against golf on the Sabbath (Sunday).

What is a dated evidence?

Dated evidence - authoritative reference or cross-reference mentioning an exact date or period.

When was golf banned in Scotland?

The first documented mention is in Edinburgh on 6th March 1457 , when King James II banned 'ye golf', to encourage archery practice. This royal ban was repeated in 1471 by his son, James III, and again in 1491 by his grandson, James IV.

When was golf first played in Scotland?

Earliest Golf Sites and Golfers. Golf has been played in Scotland since the middle 15th century at least. After decades of being banned, the prohibition was effectively lifted in early 16th century. The dates below represent the first known record of a named golfer of links golf at the sites mentioned. 1502 Perth - The Royal Golfer.

Did King James IV play golf?

King James IV probably played golf on the links at St Andrews in 1504 , when he was there for a state funeral, and golf was definitely played on Barry Links in 15 27 . The royal ban (s) never affected important individuals, who were not involved in archery practice.

Was golf dangerous after links?

This type of golf was dangerous and may have continued to be played after links golf was popular as there is at least one death recorded in 1632 in Kelso of an innocent bystander near a church. This is long after golf on the links at St Andrews, Barry, Leith and Aberdeen is recorded.

Is Sunday golf allowed at St Andrews?

Indeed Sunday golf at St Andrews only began during the Second World War and is still not permitted on the Old Course, though this is more to do with preserving the course rather than religious strictures. Early references to golf in Edinburgh and Lothians.

What was the greatest comeback in golf history?

The greatest comeback in golf history. The 2012 Ryder Cup was one of the greatest comebacks in golfing history. Team Europe were trailing 10 points to six but on the final day took 8 of a possible 11 points to take the victory.

Where was the Ryder Cup held in 2014?

2014 was only the second time that The Ryder Cup has been hosted in Scotland. The 40th Ryder Cup was played at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire having last visited Scotland in 1973, when it was played at Muirfield in East Lothian.

How many golf courses are there in Scotland?

The finest courses in the world. There are over 550 golf courses in Scotland today. Along a short stretch of coastline running from Largs to Ayr there is an endless procession of fairways including some of the finest links courses in the world: Turnberry, Royal Troon, Kilmarnock Barassie, Old Prestwick, Bogside, Glasgow and Western Gailes, ...

What are some interesting facts about golf in Scotland?

Top 10 facts about golf in Scotland. 1. The birthplace of golf. The first record of golf in Scotland dates back to the 15th century. In 1457 , golf was banned by parliament as it was seen as a distraction from military training. The ban was repealed in 1502 and King James IV made the first documented purchase of golf clubs in the same year.

When was the Ryder Cup first played?

The first international golf match. The founding of The Ryder Cup in 1927 stemmed from the first international golf match between Great Britain and the United States in 1921. The American PGA brought American golfers over to Britain as a team as no American had yet won The British Open.

Where is Old Tom's golf course?

Old Tom's work can be seen at Carnoustie, Nairn and Old Dornoch in Scotland, as well as Lahinch, Co. Clare in Ireland and Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. 4. "The finest parcel of land". The PGA Centenary Course, created by Jack Nicklaus, is considered a modern classic.

Who is the most successful golfer in the Ryder Cup?

The most successful Ryder Cup player. Scottish golfers have historically been well represented in The Ryder Cup. George Duncan of Aberdeenshire featured in the first three Ryder Cups, captaining Great Britain to its first victory in 1929.

What is the Haggis dish?

Culinary historians have been unable to find any haggis references in Scotland predating 1747, whereas they have found a dish called ‘haggas’ in an English cookery book dating from 1615 . Many believe that Robert Burns’ Address to the Haggis is what made the 'chieftain o' the pudding-race' famously Scottish. So it is really another development of the Georgian Scots. (It is self-evident that Robert Burns and Burns Night post-date golf by several centuries.)

What is the Scottish plaid called?

For centuries the Highland Scots wore full-length body versions of the kilt called the plaid (woollen cloak) or f eileadh mòr (great plaid) in Gaelic. To put it on, you laid it out on the ground and rolled yourself into it. This is reminiscent of the Scandanvian ‘kjalta’, a kind of toga wrapped around the body, which is probably the origin.

What does Whisky mean?

The word 'whisky' is an early 18th century abbreviation of the Gaelic 'uisge beatha' (usquebeaugh) a literal translation of the Latin term 'aqua vitae' meaning 'water of life'. The earliest Scottish mention is in the Exchequer Rolls, the tax records, in 1494, when 'eight bolls of malt' were licensed to 'Friar John Cor, wherewith to make aqua vita'. Unfortunately for the Scots, an earlier mention to 'aqua vitae' has been found in The Annals of Clonmacnoise in Ireland attributed to 1405 CE, where the monks had been distilling alcohol for centuries. Of course, champagne was created in Limoux in southern France 100 years before they started making it in the Champagne region, so there is probably no great threat to the Appellation d'Origine Protégée of Whisky.

What is the Scottish name for the Romans?

The word 'Scotti' was used by the Romans to describe tribes that raided the British mainland from Ireland. It was later applied (by others) to the Gaels of the Kingdom of Dal Riata based at Dunadd in Argyle, who came to eclipse the Picts in the north east. The first term for the national kingdom, used in 900 CE was 'Alba', whose reference is uncertain and which is now only used by Scottish official bodies. Eventually, the land north of the River Forth became known as Scotia and then Scotland. So the word 'Scots' isn't Scottish or Gaelic and it means 'pirates'.

Where did the Highland Games originate?

The origin of the Highland Games is the most mysterious of all. There is talk of a race to select a royal messenger for King Malcolm Canmore III at Braemar in the 11th century, but it would be 800 years before it was held again. In the interim, legend has it that games were held to celebrate the battle of Bannockburn in 1314, but the details are scant. There was a famous Battle of the Clans at Perth on the North Inch, but this was a real battle in which people fought to the death. The Scottish Stuart Kings held 'tourneys', based on French joisting traditions, common through Europe. In 1703, there is a document summoning the Clan Grant to games, sporting Highland coats "with gun, sword, pistol and dirk". However, there is no mention of highland dancing or caber tossing or hammer throwing, so it is assumed all the competitions were fighting, which doesn't feature in the modern games.

Where did bagpipes originate?

Bagpipes are common across the Middle East, where they probably originated, as whole calf skin versions. Though there are later reports of bagpipes in 13th and 14th century, the first British mention is the Canterbury Tales and the first clear contemporary reference to bagpipes in Scotland is at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, when a French officer said 'the wild Scots encouraged themselves to arms by the sound of their bagpipes'. By this time, golf had been going for 100 years.

When was the first tartan invented?

The first Scottish mention of tartan is in the royal accounts in 1471 for King James III and His Queen. This is fourteen years after the first mention of golf. The word 'tartan' appears to be French - ‘tiretaine’ - describing a woollen material of no particular pattern or colour. Designs similar to modern tartans were first seen in Ireland, though tartan like material has been found in tombs in the far east dated to 1500 years ago. There are believed to be over 5,000 tartans today, most of which post-date the 1800s. The present system of defined clan tartans only became popular under the Victorians. So tartan was adopted by the Scots, but by no means as exclusively as golf and much later than it.

What were golf clubs made of?

At this time golfers were using hand-crafted wooden clubs usually made from beech with shafts of ash or hazel, and balls were made from compressed feathers wrapped in a stitched horse hide. During the 19th century as the might of the British Empire expanded to encompass the globe, so golf followed closely behind.

What are the rules for playing golf with water?

Rules that even now sound so familiar to many; …’If your ball comes among water, or any watery filth, you are at liberty to take out your ball and bringing it behind the hazard and teeing it, you may play it with any club and allow your adversary a stroke for so getting out your ball. ’.

What was the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution of the Victorian era brought with it many changes. The birth of the railways allowed ordinary people to explore outside of their towns and cities for the first time, and as a consequence golf clubs began to appear all over the countryside.

When was golf invented?

The game of golf officially became a sport when the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith formed the first club in 1744 and set up an annual competition with silverware prizes. The rules for this new competition were drafted by Duncan Forbes. Rules that even now sound so familiar to many;

When was the first 18 hole golf course built?

The first ever 18-hole course was constructed at St Andrews in 1764, establishing the now recognised standard for the game. King William IV honoured the club with the title ‘Royal & Ancient’ in 1834, with that recognition and its fine course the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was established as the world’s premier golf club.

Where are the most famous golf courses in the world?

Some of the most famous golf courses in the world are still to be found in Scotland: their names evoke the passion and tradition of the game of golf. Gleneagles, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Prestwick, to name but a few…. Read about the origins and history of the game of Polo.

Where did golf originate?

Golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club. During the 15th century, Scotland prepared to defend itself, yet again, ...

How often are the rules of golf revised?

The rules are revised every four years. More equipment changes followed World War II. Influenced by research in synthetic and composite materials, golf club manufacturing changed.

What wood was used in the 1826 golf course?

Twenty years later, the Old Course at St. Andrews reduced its total holes from 22 to 18, establishing the format for today’s game. By 1826, hickory, imported from the United States, became the wood of choice for club shafts in Great Britain. About 20 years later, the gutta percha ball became the ball of choice.

Why did the Royal and Ancient indoctrinate the 14 club rule?

In 1939, the Royal and Ancient indoctrinated the 14-club rule to promote individual skill and to prevent golfers from using an inordinate amount of clubs.

What wood was used for golf club heads in 1900?

By 1900, persimmon became the wood of choice for club heads while aluminum became a popular alternative. Groove-faced irons, which promote increased backspin, entered the market two years later. Around the same time, the rubber-cored Haskell ball joined the list of new equipment.

When was the first PGA Championship held?

Golf enthusiasm and participation soared to new heights. By 1910, 267 clubs claimed USGA membership. In 1916 , the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) was formed and the first PGA Championship took place at Siwanoy Country Club in New York.

When did golf start in England?

King Charles, I introduced the sport to England in the 17th century. While playing a round of golf at Leith in Scotland in 1641, he learned of the beginning of the Irish Rebellion, which marked the beginning of the English Civil War. Unperturbed, Charles finished his round. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG) established ...

Where did golf originate?

The earliest form of golf can be traced to ancient Rome where people played a game called paganica around 100 BCE. Players hit a stuffed leather ball with a bent stick. During the Song Dynasty (960 CE to 1279 CE) in China, participants played chuiw an, which was played with several clubs and a ball.

Overview

Etymology

Origins

Golf course evolution

Spreading the game outwith Scotland

Players

See also

Further reading