Oldest Golf Course In The World

Golf Course History - You Can Play The

Oldest Golf Course In The World!





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 theyre 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 can be played by all comers. Seven of the holes were laid out

before 1830 (and probably much earlier) and the two new holes were added in the mid

1800s.

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 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 and the decision has remained unchanged to this day.

For a 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 its most authentic and in its most historical setting. Come try it you

will really feel the history of the place.

About The Author

Gary Hill lives and works near Edinburgh in Scotland.

You can visit his website at www.vacation2europe.com and read more about golf

vacations to Scotland and Ireland at www.vacation2europe.com/ireland-golf-

vacation.html