As typically Scottish as shortbread, whisky, kilts and bagpipes, golf in Scotland dates right back to the 15h century. Invented and established by the Scots on their home ground, the sport's popularity spread so rapidly that King James II actually banned it half a century later. The legend is that it interfered with his subjects' practice of archery! However, even royal diktat did little to prevent golf in Scotland growing in popularity. The famous Society of St Andrews Golfers was formed in the 1800s and King William IV was known to be a fan, becoming an official patron of the golfing society. In the same century, the first ever golf Open was played - in 1873. The Scottish also hold the record for hosting the first competitions, creating the tournament structures and even inventing the first 18 hole course.
Unlike within most countries, where golf is viewed as an elitist pastime, golf in Scotland is enjoyed by all sections and groups of society. The world-renowned Old Course in St Andrews is an open access, public course and many other courses in the country are council run. There are over 500 golf courses in Scotland and most are concentrated around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scottish pride is hugely evident in the game and the spiritual home of St Andrews golf. In fact, golf tourism is responsible for two percent of the country's aggregated tourism spend.
As the inventors of the sport, it's no real wonder that Scotland owns some of the best native courses and the country's rugged, outdoor nature is ideally suited to the sport. The most famous course is located in St Andrews, which is home too to the international governing body. Many enthusiasts make sporting pilgrimages here each year, with the course dating back to 1764 and being packed with history. Visitors check out the official copies of the sports rules and regs and the British Golf museum. There's also interesting history around the St Andrews Ladies Golf Club, which was formed in 1868, as the first of its kind. The town attracts many thousands of visitors every year, despite being so small in size - the key attractions being golf and the famous university.
St Andrews golf is also home to one of the sport's most famous sons - Tom Morris, known as 'Old Tom Morris', who was one of the pioneers of modern professional golf. Born in the small town in 1821, he was an apprentice to Allan Robertson - regarded widely as the sport's first professional. He worked as a clubmaker, greenkeeper and course designer and played tournament level golf himself. Eventually he came second in the first Open, in 1860 and won it the following year, with further victories in later years. Later on his son became a champion golfer (Tom Morris Junior) and together they held the record of the only father and son combination to win both first place and runner up.
Nowadays, fans from across the world dream of getting a round or two of St Andrews golf. The St Andrews golf course is important on the international stage and the links are managed by a preservation trust. Through hundreds of years, the rules and traditions of the game have grown from this little town and spread across the world. As well as being so hugely influential in the sport, St Andrews is worth visiting for its lovely scenery and history. It also has the oldest University of Scotland.
There are plenty of other famous courses in the country though, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Balcomie and Royal Troon. Each course has its own special features, whether challenges, heathland, its design or laid grass and each appeals to different experience and skill levels. The first of the Open championships was held at Prestwick in 1860 and to this day the majority of Open wins belong to Scottish golfers, currently one ahead of the Americans in the victory league table, at 42.
Increasingly too, golf holiday packages are becoming very popular in Scotland, combining the best courses for playing the sport with top accommodation, fine dining and other bolt-on services and packages. For those accompanying golf fans, many of the breaks include spa and beauty treatments, day trips and opportunities for relaxation - designed to suit every interest.
The sense of pride in the sport is most evident in the range of tourist shops and souvenirs dotted around St Andrew's and other golfing locations. Enthusiasts can buy golfing t-shirts, mugs, equipment, postcards, books, DVDs and more, in homage of their favourite sport. With interest in golf increasing amongst younger people and women, the sport looks set to go from strength to strength.
Unlike within most countries, where golf is viewed as an elitist pastime, golf in Scotland is enjoyed by all sections and groups of society. The world-renowned Old Course in St Andrews is an open access, public course and many other courses in the country are council run. There are over 500 golf courses in Scotland and most are concentrated around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scottish pride is hugely evident in the game and the spiritual home of St Andrews golf. In fact, golf tourism is responsible for two percent of the country's aggregated tourism spend.
As the inventors of the sport, it's no real wonder that Scotland owns some of the best native courses and the country's rugged, outdoor nature is ideally suited to the sport. The most famous course is located in St Andrews, which is home too to the international governing body. Many enthusiasts make sporting pilgrimages here each year, with the course dating back to 1764 and being packed with history. Visitors check out the official copies of the sports rules and regs and the British Golf museum. There's also interesting history around the St Andrews Ladies Golf Club, which was formed in 1868, as the first of its kind. The town attracts many thousands of visitors every year, despite being so small in size - the key attractions being golf and the famous university.
St Andrews golf is also home to one of the sport's most famous sons - Tom Morris, known as 'Old Tom Morris', who was one of the pioneers of modern professional golf. Born in the small town in 1821, he was an apprentice to Allan Robertson - regarded widely as the sport's first professional. He worked as a clubmaker, greenkeeper and course designer and played tournament level golf himself. Eventually he came second in the first Open, in 1860 and won it the following year, with further victories in later years. Later on his son became a champion golfer (Tom Morris Junior) and together they held the record of the only father and son combination to win both first place and runner up.
Nowadays, fans from across the world dream of getting a round or two of St Andrews golf. The St Andrews golf course is important on the international stage and the links are managed by a preservation trust. Through hundreds of years, the rules and traditions of the game have grown from this little town and spread across the world. As well as being so hugely influential in the sport, St Andrews is worth visiting for its lovely scenery and history. It also has the oldest University of Scotland.
There are plenty of other famous courses in the country though, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Balcomie and Royal Troon. Each course has its own special features, whether challenges, heathland, its design or laid grass and each appeals to different experience and skill levels. The first of the Open championships was held at Prestwick in 1860 and to this day the majority of Open wins belong to Scottish golfers, currently one ahead of the Americans in the victory league table, at 42.
Increasingly too, golf holiday packages are becoming very popular in Scotland, combining the best courses for playing the sport with top accommodation, fine dining and other bolt-on services and packages. For those accompanying golf fans, many of the breaks include spa and beauty treatments, day trips and opportunities for relaxation - designed to suit every interest.
The sense of pride in the sport is most evident in the range of tourist shops and souvenirs dotted around St Andrew's and other golfing locations. Enthusiasts can buy golfing t-shirts, mugs, equipment, postcards, books, DVDs and more, in homage of their favourite sport. With interest in golf increasing amongst younger people and women, the sport looks set to go from strength to strength.
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