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

---

Top 14 Tips for Selecting A Golf School

With the increase in number of schools for learning Golf,... Read More

Choosing a Golf Swing Training Aid

Golf swing training aid clubs are a great way to... Read More

The Most Valuable Golf Swing Secret

There is no doubt that executing the perfect golf swing... Read More

Golf Nutrition On And Off The Course

For best competition performance on the golf course, maintaining proper... Read More

Have You Played Chicago Golf Courses?

When most people think of Chicago, they usually think of... Read More

Golf Training Programs For Women

Golf training programs designed to help condition the body for... Read More

Women Golfers Have The Drive For Success

Watching the tournament rounds of today's LPGA players is more... Read More

How Golf Training Can Transform Your Game

Golf training has been brought to the masses thanks to... Read More

Easy To Implement Golf Improvement Techniques

Golf improvement techniques abound. This article will cover some golf... Read More

How To Choose The Best golf clubs For Your Game

Wilson , Callaway, Titleist, Adams , King Cobra, Yonex, Ping... Read More

Improve Golf Swing The Non-Traditional Way

Improve golf swing seems like a thought that is on... Read More

How to Eliminate Your Golf Slice Quickly and Easily

Here's a really good tip that may help you to... Read More

Learn How To Correct A Golf Slice

How to correct the golf slice? If that's a question... Read More

The Most Useful Driver Golf Swing Tip

A very important driver golf swing tip to constantly bear... Read More

The Beginners Game of Golf

A professional should give beginner golf swing instruction. In this... Read More

Exercise For A Golfer - Dont Fear it

Exercise for a golfer is widely used. Despite the success... Read More

Learning To Play Golf With Fitness

Learning to play golf has now become the pursuit of... Read More

The Cost/Benefit Analysis

There is a very useful method that many accountants use... Read More

Improve Your Golf Swing Fundamentals And Watch Your Game Transform

Most golfers are aware that by focusing on the golf... Read More

Driving the Distance with Quality Golf Equipment

Possibly the most important pieces of golf equipment are your... Read More

The Principle Golf Power Swing Tip Has Nothing To Do With Trying To Hit It With All Your Strength

Genuine golf power swing tips will have little or nothing... Read More

How To Improve Your Game With Simple Golf Exercises!

Winter is upon us and you have more time, since... Read More

Golf Tips ? A Good Thinking Head Makes A Better Golfer

Golf is a wonderful game but we all want to... Read More

What Hinders You From Hitting Long Drives Will Shock You

Hitting long golf drives is the desire of every golfer... Read More

Golf and Life, A Story About Your Future Success

Preparing to tee-off on the par 4 tenth. (Internal dialogue,... Read More

Training For Golf Combines Technical, Physical, Mechanical and Tactical

When most golfers think of the elements of the game... Read More

Fix Your Slice: The Cause & Simple Cures For The Beginner Golfer

Are you slicing all or some of your tee shots?... Read More

Golf Grub

GOLO GOLF GRUB Fuel for the golfer."A good diet can... Read More

The Power Exercise In The Golf Swing

It is a proven fact that any power exercise will... Read More

Selecting A Golf Gift That No Golfer Will Forget

Even as you contemplate on getting a golf gift for... Read More

Getting The Golf Ball In The Air With Physics

Sir Issac Newton was one of the world's most influential... Read More

How To Get Hybrid Wood Golf Clubs On A Discount

There are lots of attention getting into hybrid golf clubs... Read More

Will You Have The Time For Your Golf Training Exercise

Modern living is such that many amateur golfers fear golf... Read More