Old Course

St Andrews

A.I.- Generated Article

The Old Course at St. Andrews is considered by many to be the “home of golf” because the sport was first played on the links at St. Andrews in the early 15th century. Golf was becoming increasingly popular in Scotland until James II of Scotland banned the game in 1457 because he felt that young men were playing too much golf instead of practicing their archery. The ban was upheld by James III and remained in force until 1502 when James IV became a golfer himself and removed the ban.

In 1552, Archbishop John Hamilton gave the townspeople of St Andrews the right to play on the links. In 1754, 22 noblemen, professors, and landowners founded the Society of St Andrews Golfers. This society would eventually become the precursor to The R&A which is the governing body for golf everywhere outside of the United States and Mexico.