Earliest reference to golf at Glasgow Green, the first course played in the west of Scotland.
(1721)

"A solemn match of golf" between Alexander Elphinstone and Captain John Porteous becomes the first match reported in a newspaper. Elphinstone fights and wins a duel on the same ground in 1729.
(1724)

Thomas Mathison's epic The Goff is the first literary effort devoted to golf.
(1743)

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is formed, playing at Leith links. It is the first golf club.
(1744)

The City of Edinburgh pays for a Silver Cup to be awarded to the annual champion in an open competition played at Leith. John Rattray is the first champion.
(1744)

Golfers at St. Andrews purchase a Silver Cup for an open championship played on the Old Course. Bailie William Landale is the first champion.
(1754)

Golfers at St. Andrews purchase a Silver Cup for an open championship played on the Old Course. Bailie William Landale is the first champion.
(1754)

The first codified Rules of Golf published by the St. Andrews Golfers (later the Royal &Ancient Golf Club).
(1754)

Earliest reference to stroke-play, at St. Andrews. Previously, all play was match.
(1759)

The competition for the Silver Club at Leith is restricted to members of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
(1764)

The first four holes at St. Andrews are combined into two, reducing the round from twenty-two holes (11 out and in) to 18 (nine out and in). St. Andrews is the first 18-hole golf course, and sets the standard for future courses.
(1764)

The Blackheath Club becomes the first golf club formed outside of Scotland.
(1766)

The score of 94 returned by James Durham at St. Andrews in the Silver Cup competition sets a record unbroken for 86 years.
(1767)

The Golf House at Leith is erected. It is the first golf clubhouse.
(1768)

Competition at St. Andrews is restricted to members of the Leith and St. Andrews societies.
(1773)

The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh is formed.
(1773)

Thomas McMillan offers a Silver Cup for competition at Musselburgh. He wins the first championship.
(1774)

The first part-time golf course professional (at the time also the greenkeeper) is hired, by the Edinburgh Burgess Society.
(1774)

The Aberdeen Golf Club (later Royal Aberdeen) is formed.
(1780)

A Silver Club is offered for competition at Glasgow.
(1783)

The South Carolina Golf Club is formed in Charleston, the first golf club outside of the United Kingdom.
(1786)

The Crail Golfing Society is formed.
(1786)

The Bruntsfield Club is formed.
(1787)

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers requires members to wear club uniform when playing on the links.
(1788)

The Burntisland Golf Club is formed.
(1797)

The town of St. Andrews sells the land containing the Old Course (known then as Pilmor Links), to Thomas Erskine for 805 pounds. Erskine was required to preserve the course for golf.
(1797)