History of St. Andrew's Links, the Birthplace of Golf

The St. Andrews Links has hosted the British Open golf tournament several times in the long history of the tournament and even longer time the course has existed. Known as the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews has a rich history of royalty, weather, and winners at the Links. Here is a history of St. Andrews golf course that borders the North Sea in the northeastern part of Scotland.

History of Golf

Regarded as the birthplace of golf, the St. Andrews Links have been around since 1400 A.D. and is actually a public course upon which anyone can play. Golf was banned in 1457 because it was distracting the troops from their archery practice. Then when King James IV fell in love with golf himself then it was perfectly legal to play golf. It didn't become "official" until a charter in 1552 from Archbishop John Hamilton.

Throughout its colorful history the Links have survived bankruptcy, rabbit farming, and a 22-hole course. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club originated in 1754 by 22 nobles who loved golf. This society laid down the current rules for golf that became the governance for every country in the world except America.

The Courses

The Old Course has been around since the 1700s with 22 holes and the number was reduced to 18 in the in the middle of the century. This is the famous course where the 18^th green sits right in front of the historic castle right next to the water.

The New Course was made in 1895 and retains its name today even though it is now over a hundred years old. There are seven courses total, six of which the public can play. The Castle Course is the seventh course and sits on a cliff line overlooking the town of St. Andrews and has been opened since 2008.

British Open

The most famous tournament held at St. Andrews is the British Open, held every five years at the birthplace of golf. The first one was held in 1860 at the Links. Tiger Woods won the tournament in 2000 and 2005, the previous two times that the British Open was held at St. Andrews.

Other tournaments are held at the Links of St. Andrews including the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship held annually. No matter what golf tournament is held there, St. Andrews will always be hallowed ground to anyone who walks the grounds and their rich history. Next time you tee up to get close to the green, imagine an archer needing a day off to play golf in the reign of James II of Scotland.