12
Although the standard round of golf
didn't become regulation until the
early 1900s, it took the 18-hole
format in 1764 when St Andrews
converted from 22 holes to 18.
The Old Course at St Andrews was
traditionally played in the opposite
direction. It was played that way until
the end of the 19th century when
`Keeper of the Green', Old Tom
Morris, made the switch.
Dawn of a game
Young Tom Morris had the first
recorded hole-in-one during the
Open Championship at Prestwick in
1868. He holed out on the 145-yard
8th hole.
History maker
St Andrews was not the only
golfing district to have a huge
influence on the game. The world's
first code of rules was written in Leith
in 1744 by the Gentlemen golfers,
which the Society of St Andrews
Golfers, later to be known as the
Royal and Ancient, adopted word-
for-word on its formation.
Scotland also witnessed the
beginnings of tournament golf, with
the first-ever Open Championship
having taken place on its turf. Also
the first-ever major championship,
the Open first took place at Prestwick
Golf Club in 1860 with a field of just
eight players. Of course, the Open
and tournament golf itself has come
a long way since then - yet Scotland
still provides the best entertainment.
These events have blessed us with
some of the sport's best moments
and, of course, some of golf's best
battles. Who can forget the famous
Duel in the Sun when Tom Watson
took on Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus at
Turnberry in 1977 and won? Or when
Seve Ballesteros pumped his fist in
glory at St Andrews in 1984? These
are golfing moments that will last
forever - even more so because they
took place on Scottish soil. Many of
these tournaments are held on
Scotland's magnificent links turf; golf
in its truest form. As a golfer, you
haven't lived until you have tasted
the wonders of seaside golf. The salty
sea air, the sandy soil, and, of course,
the swirling conditions.
Up and down the coastline you
will discover a great deal of what
encapsulates golf in Scotland - and
just why, if you are a true golf fan,
you should make the country a
regular stop on your golf itinerary.
However, links golf is not all that
the home of golf has to offer in
terms of a distinctly Scottish golf
experience. In fact, the country is
overflowing with different varieties of
golf - which is, in part, why it is so
special as a golfing venue. There are
breathtaking parkland, heathland
and moorland golf courses, many of
which, like the links courses, have
been designed by renowned golf
architects and played by the golfing
elite - another reason why the home
of golf is the venue to top them all.
After all, in what other country can
you sample the teeth of links golf
and within 20 miles head for your
second round at an equally first-rate
parkland course? Where else in the
world can you sample the experience
of such a rich history and a thriving
modern golf scene in tandem?
Nowhere in the world but right
here in Scotland. And with over 550
courses - more by head of population
than you will encounter anywhere
else and enough to play a different
course for every day of the year - you
will never be stuck for quality or
choice wherever you are in Scotland.
With all this to be discovered and
more, there is always justification for
visiting Scotland - the home of golf.
Scotland is
overflowing
with different
varieties of
golf, which is
what makes it
so special...
circa 1900: Golfers putting out on the links at North Berwick
1928: Scottish golfer James Braid playing
from a bunker

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