1457 - The first written record of Golf when it is banned, along with football (soccer), by the Scots Parliament of James II because it has interfered with military training for the wars against the English.
1502 - With the signing of the Treaty of Glasgow between England and Scotland, the ban on golf is lifted.
James IV makes the first recorded purchase of golf equipment, a set of clubs from a bow-maker in Perth, Scotland.
1513 - Queen Catherine of England, in a letter to Cardinal Wolsey, refers to the growing popularity of golf in England.
1527 - The first commoner recorded as a golfer is Sir Robert Maule, described as playing on Barry Links (near the modern-day Carnoustie).
1552 - The first recorded evidence of golf at St. Andrews.
1553 - The Archbishop of St. Andrews issues a decree giving the local populace the right to play golf on the links at St. Andrews.
1567 - Mary, Queen of Scots, seen playing golf shortly after the death of her husband Lord Darnley, is the first known female golfer.
1589 - Golf is banned in the Blackfriars Yard, Glasgow. This is the earliest reference to golf in the west of Scotland.
1618 - Invention of the feathery ball.
King James VI of Scotland and I of England confirms the right of the populace to play golf on Sundays.
1642 - John Dickson receives a license as ball-maker for Aberdeen, Scotland.
1659 - Golf is banned from the streets of Albany, New York - the first reference to golf in America.
1682 - In the first recorded international golf match, the Duke of York and John Paterstone of Scotland defeat two English noblemen in a match played on the links of Leith.
Andrew Dickson, carrying clubs for the Duke of York, is the first recorded caddy.
1687 - A book by Thomas Kincaid, Thoughts on Golve, contains the first references on how golf clubs are made.
1724 - "A solemn match of golf" between Alexander Elphinstone and Captain John Porteous becomes the first match reported in a newspaper. Elphinstone fights and wins a duel on the same ground in 1729.
1743 - Thomas Mathison's epic The Goff is the first literary effort devoted to golf.
1744 - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is formed, playing at Leith links. It is the first golf club.
The City of Edinburgh pays for a Silver Cup to be awarded to the annual champion in an open competition played at Leith. John Rattray is the first champion.
1754 - Golfers at St. Andrews purchase a Silver Cup for an open championship played on the Old Course. Bailie William Landale is the first champion.
The first codified Rules of Golf published by the St. Andrews Golfers (later the Royal & Ancient Golf Club).
1759 - Earliest reference to stroke-play, at St. Andrews. Previously, all play was match.
1764 - The first four holes at St. Andrews are combined into two, reducing the round from twenty-two holes (11 out and in) to 18 (nine out and in). St. Andrews is the first 18-hole golf course, and sets the standard for future courses.
1766 - The Blackheath Club becomes the first golf club formed outside of Scotland.
1767 - The score of 94 returned by James Durham at St. Andrews in the Silver Cup competition sets a record unbroken for 86 years.
1768 - The Golf House at Leith is erected. It is the first golf clubhouse.
1786 - The South Carolina Golf Club is formed in Charleston, the first golf club outside of the United Kingdom.
1788 - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers requires members to wear club uniform when playing on the links.
1810 - Earliest recorded reference to a women's competition at Musselburgh.
1812 - Regulations of Game of Golf adopted by the St Andrews Society of Golfers on Friday, 1 May 1812.
1820 - The Bangalore Club is formed, the first club outside of the British Isles.
1826 - Hickory imported from America is used to make golf shafts.
1829 - The Calcutta Golf Club (later Royal Calcutta) is formed.
1832 - The North Berwick Club is founded, the first to include women in its activities, although they are not permitted to play in competitions.
1833- King William IV confers the distinction of "Royal" on the Perth Golfing Society; as Royal Perth it is the first Club to hold the distinction.
The St. Andrews Golfers ban the stymie, but rescind the ban one year later.
1834 - William IV confers the title "Royal and Ancient" on the Golf Club at St. Andrews.
1836 - The longest driver ever recorded with a feathery ball, 361 yards, is achieved by Samuel Messieux at Elysian Fields.
1842 - The Bombay Golfing Society (later Royal Bombay) is founded.
1844 - Blackheath follows Leith in expanding its course from five to seven holes. North Berwick also had seven holes at the time, although the trend toward a standard eighteen had begun.
Golf History and Tradition
by David Stirk
Explores the possible origins of the sport staring with ancient Rome, and moving through all the significant events and developments of the sport. With biographies on significant golfers. More information:
The New Encyclopedia of Golf: The Definitive Guide to the World of Golf--Courses, Champions, Characters, Traditions
by Malcolm Campbell
An illustrated reference book including the history of the game, Championship Courses of the World, the evolution of the Golf Ball and Club design, the Hall of Fame section with golf legends and today's stars, championship records, developments in the women's game, and the top golf architects and designers of the modern game. More information: