The History of Golf

The sport of Golf began in Scotland over 500 years ago using a rock as a ball and a stick as a club. St. Andrews the oldest and first golf course still remains today. Early golfers used rabbit runs as fairways because their burrows were linked in the dunes by the runs. The golfers would hit pebbles or roundish objects into the holes with a stick or club.

In the 1400's golf was so widespread that it was endangering the public who were near the golfers. The Scottish government tried to ban golf but failed. By the 1700's golf was played mostly by wealthy club members. In 1744, the first official rules and regulations of golf were written and approved by The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Golf Club. The Society of St. Andrews Golfers opened their club in 1754, using the same rules as the Leith club in Edinburgh. St. Andrews became the officials for the world of golf.