which is the oldest golf course in the world?

What are the top 10 golf courses in the world?

Top 100 Courses in the World: GOLF’s 2021-22 ranking of the best designs on the planet

1. Pine Valley. Analyzing a golf course need not be complicated. ...
2. Cypress Point. It’s almost inconceivable that land this stunning was made available for golf. ...
3. St. ...
4. Shinnecock Hills. ...
5. National Golf Links of America. ...
6. Royal County Down. ...
7. Royal Melbourne (West) The immense appeal of Alister MacKenzie’s Golden Age masterwork is captured by former world No. ...
8. Oakmont. ...

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Which country has the most golf courses?

“The golf course sits on what has to be one of the most stunning stretches of coastline anywhere in the Kingdom, if not the wider Middle East – where the still, beautiful waters of the Red Sea glisten in the sun, and the winter temperature is perfect. If there was a place hand-designed for Instagram, this would be it.

What is the most expensive golf course in the world?

Continuing our countdown of the best golf courses in the world, we're into the top half and the courses ... over undulating heathland that permits some of the sandbelt’s most adventurous holes. It may be Surrey’s most entertaining round.

What are the best golf courses in the world?

Top 100 Courses in the World, 2020-21: GOLF’s raters name the best of the best

1. Pine Valley. To state perhaps the obvious, one simple but effective way to judge a design is by the quality of the course’s property, its hazards and greens.
2. Cypress Point. As Alister MacKenzie must have felt about his 1928 design, it's almost inconceivable that land this stunning was made available for golf.
3. St. ...
4. Shinnecock Hills. ...

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What are the 5 oldest golf courses in the world?

Top 5 Oldest Golf Courses in the WorldRoyal Aberdeen Golf Club. ... Musselburgh Old Links. ... Royal North Devon. ... St Andrews Old Course. ... Montrose Links. ... Here is an extra bonus one thrown in from Wales……

When was the first golf course built in the world?

The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland is the oldest golf course in the world, dating back to 1552.

Where was the oldest golf club founded?

The Oakhurst Golf Club also formed in 1884. Oakhurst claims to be “the first organized golf club in the United States.” Remember, some golf clubs at that time were not exclusively golf clubs. Oakhurst is the oldest golf course still in use in the same location in the United States.

Is St Andrews older than Musselburgh?

History. Musselburgh was once certified as being the oldest golf course in the world by Guinness World Records; recently this 'record' was reassigned to St Andrews. There is documented evidence that golf was played at the links in 1672, while it is claimed that Mary, Queen of Scots, played nearby (at Seton) in 1567.

Which country invented golf?

ScotlandGolf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.

Who owns the Old Course St Andrews?

Old Course at St AndrewsClub informationOwned byFife CouncilOperated bySt Andrews Links TrustTotal holes18Tournaments hostedThe Open Championship, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, St Andrews Links Trophy12 more rows

Where was the first golf course in the world?

The Old Course at St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, UK, is the oldest golf course in the world. Archbishop Hamilton's Charter in 1552 is the earliest documentary evidence that allowed the people of St Andrews to play golf on the Links.

What is the oldest golf club in England?

Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! can rightly claim to be the cradle of English Golf. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country and is regarded as the St Andrews of the South.

What is the oldest 18 hole golf course?

Chicago Golf ClubChicago Golf Club is considered the oldest 18-hole course in North America (although the club's original site has public golf, nine-hole Downers Grove, which dates back to 1892). Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx considers itself to be the first public golf course in the U.S. (1895).

What is the first golf course in Scotland?

St Andrews - 1552 There is evidence of golf being played on the site of the St Andrews Old Course as far back at 1552, making it the oldest in the world.

What is the oldest course in Scotland?

The Musselburgh Old Course, 1672 The Musselburgh Old Course holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest golf course in the world. Close to Edinburgh, it has great transport links.

What is the oldest 9 hole golf course in the world?

KinghornKinghorn (1812) Over the centuries it would change many times with castles, towers and other structures built on the land. Even with all this, the links survived with the course starting in 1812. Initially made up of 9 holes, Kinghorn has a proud tradition of being open to the public.

How many times was the Open Championship contested?

The Open Championship was contested at Musselburgh six times, most notably in 1883 when Bob Ferguson finished with three straight threes to force a playoff with Willie Fernie. By this time four clubs shared the course at Musselburgh – the Royal Burgess and Bruntsfield Links having arrived.

Where did the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers play golf?

This combined with a general deterioration of “the green” at Leith led a number of members of “The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers,” (titled thus after a charter granted in 1800,) to play more golf at Musselburgh Links, a few miles along the coast.

Where was the first golf course in Scotland?

Leith Links in Edinburgh holds that honour. It can be argued that this stretch of land bordering Edinburgh’s port may have been the original golfing ground in Scotland. It was certainly the venue for games between a group of gentlemen who went on to form the first golf club.

When was the first golf tournament held in Edinburgh?

On 7th March 1744 , Edinburgh City Council consented to the request and, as such, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (the world’s oldest golf club) claims this as their birthday. The competition was to be open to all and a condition was that a formal set of rules would be required.

Who won the 1745 Leith?

A set of rules were drawn up there, identical to those of the “Gentlemen Golfers” save for an allowance for varying local conditions at Leith and St Andrews. John Rattray won again at Leith in 1745, but later that year found himself caught up in the Jacobite rising of Charles Edward Stuart.

Where did golf originate?

What is absolutely certain, however, is the first definitive record of golf comes from Scotland – a 1457 statute of Scottish King, James II that specifically forbade the playing of “golfe.”.

Who was the first captain of the golf game?

There were 12 entrants and John Rattray , a renowned surgeon and golfer of some skill, took the prize. He then was the first captain and had the honour of signing the first set of rules. These were 13 articles on which all subsequent codes of the game were based.

Where is the oldest golf course in the world?

Known as the ‘home of golf’, the Old Golf Course in St Andrews is the oldest in the world. Established in 1552, it is situated in St Andrews, a seaside city – just two hours’ drive from Edinburgh – dating back to the sixth century and home to the oldest university in Scotland. The club offers seven courses, including the Old Course, which has bunkers and humps along its 18-hole layout and continues to attract golf enthusiasts and expert players from all over the world. Besides the top-rated 7,305yd (6,680m) terrain, you’ll also find a golf academy, three clubhouses and four shops selling clothing, equipment and gifts.

Where was golf invented?

The game was invented in Scotland, so you won’t be surprised to discover that most of them are found there. We’ve picked several of the oldest that are still the best. The origins of golf are unclear, but an early version of the game was discovered in Scotland in the 15th century. The earliest version of the game involved players – young Scottish ...

Where to play golf in Scotland?

Enjoy breathtaking views as you play a game at Fortrose, a historic town that’s famous for its golf course as well as the 13th-century cathedral. Located on the narrow Chanonry Peninsula, just under four hours’ from Edinburgh, Fortrose is an 18-hole course; established in 1702, it was once a six-hole course but was extended in 1924. The 5,881yd (5,378m) course offers panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. The golf club dates back to 1889, and in 2019 won Golf Club of the Year for Scotland by the Luxury Travel Guide Lifestyle Awards 2019. In the past 10 years it has hosted multiple National Championships on behalf of Scottish golf.

When was golf banned?

Golf ’s popularity, however, continued to grow, until the ban was finally lifted in 1502 by King James IV, who took an interest in the sport and made it available to the public. Since then, golf has become one of the premier sports in the world and its historic golf courses continue to attract hundreds of visitors every year.

Where is Kinghorn Golf Course?

Founded in 1887, this traditional golf course is located in Kinghorn, a seaside resort in Fife, Scotland. The former royal burgh is where Alexander III of Scotland died in 1286 when he was accidentally thrown off a cliff while riding his horse. Today, the town attracts visitors who come to play at Kinghorn golf course and lounge on the small sandy beach, surrounded by white and brown stone houses.The 18-hole, 4,724yd (4,320m) course provides stunning views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth, an estuary of several Scottish rivers. Though the golf course only had a nine-hole layout when it was first established, additional holes were added in 1947. A new clubhouse was opened in 2009 by Scottish Open champion Paul Lawrie.

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

The Championship Links at Royal Aberdeen is an established tournament host that has been worked on over the years by golf design greats including James Braid and Donald Steel. This is raw links golf at its best. Nine holes take you away from the clubhouse before your journey home is completed over the back nine.

Musselburgh Old Links

The Old Links at Musselburgh has been officially recognised by Guinness as the oldest golf course in the world; a fact that should immediately place Musselburgh atop any avid golfers wishlist.

Royal North Devon

Founded in 1864, Royal North Devon is officially the oldest golf course England and it’s still using its original fairways! Royal North Devon is a fast-running links so the natural undulations and the prevailing wind are the main considerations for the golfer looking for a solid score.

St Andrews Old Course

St Andrews Old Course needs little introduction and is widely regarded as the spiritual home of golf. The Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world. The first documented rounds of golf here date back to 1552 and since then the course has become the most famous golf course in the world and an absolute must for any golf fan.

Montrose Links

Considered to be the 5th oldest course in the world, Montrose is also the 3rd oldest royal golf club in the world; making it more than welcome on this list.

Tenby Golf Club

Tenby is just one of many classic golf courses in the design portfolio of the great James Braid and like many of Braids courses it is an absolute classic. Measuring just 6,300 yards Tenby isn’t long by modern standards but it still remains as a truer test of links golf.

Rory

The resident golf geek at Your Golf Travel. Have been lucky enough to have travelled far and wide playing golf and if I’m not writing about it at work, you will probably find me hacking it around my local course. Owner of 2 holes in one and some of the most crooked drives you have ever seen! www.yourgolftravel.com/ygt-rory

St Andrews Old Course

Located on the east coast of Scotland, St Andrews Old Course is the very oldest golf course in the world hence why Scotland has been coined the home of golf.

The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

Also located in Scotland is The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. The club was founded in 1780 as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and is famous for being the 6th oldest golf club, home to the Balgownie and Silverburn links courses.

The Musselburgh Golf Club

The Musselburgh Golf Club was established in 1938 in East Lothian in Scotland, just outside of Edinburgh. The Musselburgh is home to The Old Golf Course, a fantastic championship course, also designed by James Braid, that has been attested as one of the best courses in East Scotland.

The Montrose Links Course

The Montrose Links was established in 1562 which makes it the 5th oldest golf course in the world. The original course offered a traditional links layout however was revamped by Harry Colt in 1913 to create the final modern design.

The Tenby Golf Club

The Tenby Golf Club is home to the oldest golf course in Wales, Tenby Golf Course. This stunning 18-hole links course was established in 1888 and was designed by none other than James Braid.

Royal Blackheath Golf Club

Blackheath Golf Club was established in 1608 in Greenwich, London, and is the oldest golf course in England. Blackheath was initiated at a time when the Scottish Court arrived in London and were in search of the perfect place to play their traditional sport so, in fact, the Blackheath Golf Club also finds its roots in Scotland.

The Elie and Earlsferry

The Earlsferry Golf Society was established in 1787 and Earlsferry and Elie Golf Club, now known as The Elie, was formed in 1858, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in the UK. The Elie is located in Fife, just a few miles from St Andrews, and is set along the picturesque Scottish coast.

How many golf courses were there in 1888?

At the turn of the 20th century, the number of clubs and courses would rise rapidly. In 1888, the Golfing Annual lists 197 clubs playing about 126 courses, though some courses are not named. By the end of the century this would be over 2,000 clubs, on over 1,000 courses.

Which golf clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds?

Only the Royal & Ancient and Musselburgh clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds. All the other clubs of the 18th century and all the other 18 oldest golf clubs had to relocate, if only a mile or two, to establish the courses that they play today.

Why are there 18 golf courses outside of Scotland?

The reason is that these courses were located where there was enough room to expand to 18 holes. These courses were founded by visiting Scots and local interest in golf did not come until much later.

Is there a golf course in Edinburgh?

There is still a golf course at Bruntsfield Links (1695) in Edinburgh, though only the short-hole game is played there now. Recently it has become clear that parts of Fortrose golf course play over the area used by the Fortrose golfers at the end of the 18th century, which means the course is older than the club.

Where was the right to play golf?

The right to play golf on their links was enshrined in the 16th century Burgh records of St Andrews (1552) and, reputedly, at Elie (1589) and play is recorded at Musselburgh from 1672, but not with the precision needed to prove these activities were on today's course, though they almost certainly were. Therefore the courses at St Andrews, ...

Where was the first link golf course?

The first mention of links golf is on Barry Links near Carnoustie, but the exact location is not specified and may not be an area currently played. The first mention of a golf hole is ascribed to Aberdeen, in 1625, on the old Aberdeen Links, which is Queens Links and Broad Hill. However, this area is no longer played.

Did Kingsbarns and Scotscraig return to their original golfing grounds?

Kingsbarns and Scotscraig returned to their original golfing grounds, having been unceremoniously turfed off the land by tenant farmers who ploughed the courses up, leading to the demise of both clubs for many years.

How many holes are there in the Clyde Squirrel Golf Course?

The course slowly evolved over the years and today, there are 27 holes called the Clyde, Squirrel and Primrose nines.

How many acres are there in Foxburg Country Club?

Area: 61 acres (24.7 ha) photo source: Wikimedia Commons. The Foxburg Country Club is another golf club that’s brought up any time there is a discussion over which golf course is the oldest in America. The club’s founder was Joseph Mickle Fox, a descendant of the land and oil rich Fox family from Philadelphia.

Where did Montegue build his golf course?

Montegue had learned about golf in Scotland and decided to build his own golf course right outside of his home, which served as the Oakhurst Links Clubhouse for many years. The first competition at Oakhurst was held in 1888. Although Oakhurst is the oldest golf course, it has not been in continuous operation.

What year was the first 18 hole golf course in the US?

The new Chicago Golf Club course hosted the 1897, 1900 and 1911 U.S. Opens, the 1897, 1905, 1909 and 1912 U.S. Amateurs and the 1903 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The Chicago Golf Club is still going strong today and considers itself the first 18-hole golf course in America.

When was Quogue Field Club founded?

The Quogue Field Club is an old private golf course in New York, which dates back to 1901. However, the club was founded in 1887 , but they did not initially play golf. A rough 9-hole course was laid out in 1896 by RB Wilson, who has head pro at nearby Shinnecock Hills.

When did Chicago Golf Club move to Downers Grove?

The Chicago Golf Club continued to play golf at the Downers Grove course until 1895, when it moved to a new course built again by MacDonald in nearby Wheaton, Illinois. After this, the golf course was passed around to different owners before it was purchased by the Downers Grove Park District in 1968.

When was Chicago Golf Club founded?

The Chicago Golf Club was founded in 1892 and its first golf course was built that same year in nearby Downers Grove by Charles Blair MacDonald, who is widely considered the founding father of golf in America.Over the next few years golf grew in popularity in America and so did the Chicago Golf Club.