The St. Andrews Club chooses to elect its captains rather than award captaincy to the winner of the Silver Cup. Thus begins the tradition of the Captain "playing himself into office," by hitting a single shot before the start of the annual competition.
(1806)

Earliest recorded reference to a women's competition at Musselburgh.
(1810)

The Bangalore Club is formed, the first club outside of the British Isles.
(1820)

The Perth Golfing Society is formed, later Royal Perth (the first club so honored).
(1824)

Hickory imported from America is used to make golf shafts.
(1826)

The Calcutta Golf Club (later Royal Calcutta) is formed.
(1829)

The North Berwick Club is founded, the first to include women in its activities, although they are not permitted to play in competitions.
(1832)

King William IV confers the distinction of "Royal" on the Perth Golfing Society; as Royal Perth it is the first Club to hold the distinction.
(1833)

The St. Andrews Golfers ban the stymie, but rescind the ban one year later.
(1833)

William IV confers the title "Royal and Ancient" on the Golf Club at St. Andrews.
(1834)

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers abandons the deteriorating Leith Links, moving to Musselburgh.
(1836)

The longest driver ever recorded with a feathery ball, 361 yards, is achieved by Samuel Messieux at Elysian Fields.
(1836)

The Bombay Golfing Society (later Royal Bombay) is founded.
(1842)

Blackheath follows Leith in expanding its course from five to seven holes. North Berwick also had seven holes at the time, although the trend toward a standard eighteen had begun.
(1844)

Invention of the "guttie," the gutta-percha ball. It flies farther than the feathery and is much less expensive. It contributes greatly to the expansion of the game.
(1848)