Golf Information

Golf Course History - You Could Play On The Worlds Oldest Golf Course


The oldest golf course in the world...

If I asked you where the oldest golf course in the world was what would you say? Scotland - yes, good guess so far. But where in Scotland?

When pressed most golfers eventually say St Andrews, but they're wrong. Golf was played at Musselburgh near Edinburgh at least ten years before any recorded games at St Andrews. Local records suggest that golf was played on the links land near the shore at Musselburgh from around the year 1567.

The "old course" in Musselburgh is still there today and retains much of its original layout. It has nine holes and the golf course can be played by all comers. Seven of the old course holes were laid out before 1830 (and probably much earlier) and the two "new holes" were added in the mid 1800's.

The British Open golf tournament was held at Musselburgh on five occasions between 1874 and 1889 and the first ever golf competition for women was played on the old course in 1811. The club members still compete for the Old Club Cup, which dates back to 1774.

Even the holes in the greens are significant at Musselburgh. In 1829 the members decided to buy a mechanical device from a local blacksmith to cut the holes on the green. By chance he made it with a diameter of exactly four and a half inches. Golf holes at the time could be any size that the members wanted - there was no rule about it. In 1893 the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews - who by this time wrote the rules of golf for the game worldwide - decided that all golf holes should be the same size as the ones at Musselburgh old course and the decision has remained unchanged to this day. Just measure the cup size on your local golf course if you don't believe me.

For a golf course of such historical importance, access is remarkably easy. You can simply pay and play if you wish and there is a small shop selling special souvenirs. Memberships are available for both local and overseas members - the latter might make a particularly unusual golf gift. Each overseas member receives a welcome pack with a history of the club, a special bag tag, special golf balls and tees and is welcome to join in any competitions if they come for a holiday in Scotland.

This truly is golf at it's most authentic and in its most historical setting. Come try it - you will really feel the history of the place.

Gary Hill lives and works in central Scotland. His website has lots of information on travel in Europe and about golf in Scotland or Ireland golf vacations

Gary also contributes to a medical website on the theme of whiplash injury


MORE RESOURCES:

Washington Post

A Few Words About Golf With Condoleezza Rice
Washington Post, United States - 16 hours ago
As she did last year, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came out to the AT&T National, in this case spending time watching the golf with several Marines ...
Pernice leads by one in tourney that feels on hold minus stars Baltimore Sun
Golf can be a pain St. Louis Post-Dispatch
5 ways to keep golf on the air GoErie.com
Colorado Springs Gazette - New York Daily News
all 422 news articles


BBC Sport

Golf: Birdie’s key to Fisher’s Euro bid
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 1 hour ago
A BRILLIANT closing birdie – the only one all day on the 471-yard 18th – took England’s Ross Fisher into a three-stroke lead with a round to go in The ...
Golf-Veteran Frost stays cool in gusting winds Reuters.uk
Golf: Ross Fisher sets sights on winning European Open Sunday Mirror
European Open: Ross Fisher pulls three shots clear of Graeme ... Telegraph.co.uk
Yourcanterbury.co.uk - GoErie.com
all 530 news articles


Golf entrepreneur Barney Adams kept his eye on the ball
Dallas Morning News, TX - 4 hours ago
That might seem strange coming from the guy who invented the Adams Tight Lies fairway wood, one of the best-selling golf clubs in history, and the founder ...


Just a note about those golf carts: Be careful Mark Herrmann
Newsday, NY - 5 hours ago
Those small, cute, harmless looking golf carts can be dangerous, according to two studies released recently. One of them said nearly 50000 people were hurt ...


24dash

Trump’s Adventures in the Land of Golf
New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago
Environmentalists say the site of Donald Trump's proposed golf resort on the northeast coast of Scotland, near Aberdeen, which includes miles of rugged ...
Donald Trump Will Have To Wait For Scottish Golf Course Decision Showbiz Spy
Tycoon Trump accused of getting 'carried away by his golf dream' Scotsman
Trump golf resort inquiry reaches final stages Aberdeen Press and Journal
Scotsman - Aberdeen Press and Journal
all 39 news articles


Voice of America

Marino leads AT&T National Golf Tournament at 5 Under Par
Voice of America - Jul 4, 2008
By David Byrd American Steve Marino has a one-stroke lead over four other players after the first round of the AT&T National golf tournament. ...
Rain Falls, Scores Drop At AT&T Washington Post
Marino leads by one shot GOLF Detroit Free Press
Connecticut Rooters for Marino Hartford Courant
Washington Post - Voice of America
all 357 news articles


Golf: Woosie cards Russia double
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 1 hour ago
... Polish Seniors Open in Krakow, and is now favourite to win for a second time after another superb round at the Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club near Moscow. ...
Golf: Woosie on course to boost his Euro lead WalesOnline
all 7 news articles


Voice of America

Pernice Leads AT&T National Golf Tournament
Voice of America - 12 hours ago
I have to go out there and shoot a good score to win a golf tournament, I can't worry about anything else. So it is just a matter of me being able to ...
UPDATE 1-Golf-Pernice takes a one-shot lead at AT&T National Reuters UK
Golf-Overton clings to one-shot lead at Congressional Reuters.uk
Golf Capsules USA Today
The Free Lance-Star - Voice of America
all 724 news articles


Washington Post

Allem enjoys comeback after injuries slowed tour career
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - 5 hours ago
"I love golf, I love to play and I love to compete. That's probably the biggest motivator." Allem won't be lacking for motivation today when he tees it up ...
50-year-old Joey Sindelar says he is loving his new golf life The Canadian Press
Ozaki leads after sizzling back nine in Endicott Scranton Times-Tribune
Romero surges to lead at Dick’s Open The Citizen's Voice
The Associated Press - Press & Sun-Bulletin
all 295 news articles


Golf365.co.za

Golf: Tiger Woods goes for six months break
Economic Times, India - 12 hours ago
The golf world was thrilled by Tiger Woods' remarkable triumph at the US Open in California three weeks ago. He made an 18 foot putt on the final hole to ...
Time Ernie saw the light Scotsman
Will Ernie charge in Tiger's absence? Independent Online
• Excitement drives District ahead of Buick The Saginaw News - MLive.com
Washington Post
all 20 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© 2006