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History of St. Andrews Links
Historic chronology of the early development of St. Andrews Links
In 1123 King David granted the famous stretch of common links to the people of St. Andrews. Through charters and confirmations the local rights have been protected, golf was played there since before 1400 AD.
In 1457 King James II banned the game by act of the Scottish Parliament because archery practice, necessary to the defense of the realm was being neglected. This ban continued until 1502 when James IV became a golfer. Early in 16th century the town population grew to 14,000. Local golfers shared the links with monarchs, ambassadors, bishops and university academics. Mary Queen of Scots and James VI were both visitors to the town.
The history of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club started on May 14, 1754, when 22 noblemen and gentlemen of Fife presented a Silver Club for annual play over the links. The winner became Captain for the year. The Society of St. Andrews Golfers evolved from this competition, meeting regularly for "healthful exercise of golf" and dinner.
In 1764 the Old Course had 22 holes, 11 out and 11 back, playing to the same hole going out and in, except for the 11th and 22nd holes. The first and last four holes, were too short and golfers decided they should be made into two holes. Reducing the round from 22 to 18, thus today's standard round was created.
In 1797 Local Council sold the links to merchants who started a rabbit farm in 1799. Twenty years of 'war' between the rabbit farmers and golfers followed, in 1821 a landowner and keen golfer, bought the links saving them for golf.
The game grew in popularity, by the 19th century it was part of the way of life for many local people. Even if they did not play the game, a number of families had a direct involvement as caddies, ball makers and club makers. In 1834, King William IV agreed to become the Patron of the Golf Club and the Society of St. Andrews Golfers became The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
The course become too crowded in the middle 19th century, golfers playing out began to meet golfers playing in, at the same hole. To solve the problem they cut two holes on each green, with white flags for outward holes and red flags for inward holes. Thus the famous double greens.
In 1857, the R&A, organized the first Grand National Tournament. It was a team event with one pair of players representing each club in a knock-out match play competition over 30 holes (one round plus six holes out and back), with opponents being drawn by lot. This was the first national golf championship. It was held again the next year at St. Andrews,. Instead of being a team competition, it was to be a championship "open to all gentlemen players, members of any established club, 28 competitors took part. Another was held at St. Andrews in 1859, but then in 1860, Prestwick Golf Club inaugurated the Open Championship.
In 1872, The R&A Prestwick Golf Club and Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, took over responsibility for running the Open, later joined by Royal St George’s, Royal Liverpool and Royal Cinque Port’s.
In 1873 the first Open Championship was played at St. Andrews.
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