'The home of golf'

Both the Scots and the Dutch claim to have invented golf.

St. Andrews wasn't the first course in Scotland but it's been the home of the Royal & Ancient for a long time now.

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Was golf somehow invented at St Andrews? Why has it earned the title given above? Did some red-whiskered (and possibly pringle-jumpered) Celt bash the head of a warring chief down a rabbit hole with his crudely sculpted 4 iron way back in 1253, thereby creating this bizarre (sport? illness?)? What is the story?

Pretty much. Though it's arguable whether the first golf club was actually in St. Andrews or in Edinburgh (The Honorary Company of Edinburgh Golfers, who are now based at ultra-exlusive Muirfield), it's fair to say that St. Andrews has had 'gowf' played over it's natural linksland for hundreds and hundreds of years.

It's the 'home of golf' for this reason and also the fact that it's most famous 'club', the Royal And Ancient, is also the game's governing body and maker of rules. Also, the "Old Course" lays claim to being the first golf course (as opposed to bit of land upon which people played a game resembling golf - if you get my drift).

That's all from memory and if you want facts you'll have to do a bit of Googling, but basically the town of my birth is indeed the home of golf.

John (born in St. Andrews many moons ago)

The first golf club in Scotland is supposed to have been the "Gentlemen Golfers of Leith" formed in 1744, 10 years before the first St. Andrews club was formed. Golf is supposed to have been played on the links at St. Andrews for centuries before that though, with the first recorded reference being in 1552.

There are earlier records of golf in Scotland though, including the sport being banned by Royal decree in 1457.

There is an excellent golf museum in St. Andrews - well worth a visit.

I heard that Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh was where it all started with some shepards hitting rocks down rabbit holes with their crooks.

I guess it sounds like Lords. The traditional heart of cricket and cricket administration but not actually the place it was invented.

Thanks for the interesting replies. More entertaining than the golf, thats for sure. (Ducks)

Bruce

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Thanks for the interesting replies. More entertaining than the golf, thats for sure. (Ducks)

FORE!


thump



Gottim!


Cricket more entertaining than Golf, what rot!

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St. Andrews - well worth a visit.

And make sure your visit encompasses a Sunday. The course is closed and it being municipal land you can walk round the hallowed fairways. A great mornings walk for the enthusiast. You really do get a idea of just how hard the Old Course is compared to most and it brings home how good the Pros really are.

I saw Greg Norman hit the green from the tee on the 18th once. When you go along on your Sunday and walk that hole such a shot seems ridiculous to us mere mortals!

Jonathan

Back in circa 1980, I spent an entire summer 'living' in the managers quarters at the R&A following the demise of the resident manager. A key to the back door was all that was needed. This was a glorious opportunity to sneak out into the building at nights, have massive scampi fry ups in the kitchen, shoot billiards, view the trophy room and drink Belhaven on tap. I doubt that I would have the chutzpah to attempt such activities in future, but necessity was the mother of fortitude back then, as I needed a place to crash for the summer and the seasonal tourist influx consumed all official places to stay.

I saw Sevvy Ballasteros also hit the 18th green from the tee. I confess to 'watering' the 18th green myself on more than one occasion. Never played any golf though.

Ron

Plenty of golf games available for your phone or other gaming devices.

Not many cricket games though. Cricket may be fun to play, but from a spectator POV it's like watching paint dry. Golf is good to watch though because every stroke counts...

And to Fritz who predicted that Tiger was unbeatable...
well driven , sir.