Golf eLife

1353

The first recorded reference to chole, the probable antecedent of golf. It is a derivative of hockey played in Flanders (Belgium).

1421

A Scottish regiment aiding the French against the English at the Siege of Bauge is introduced to the game of chole. Hugh Kennedy, Robert Stewart and John Smale, three of the identified players, are credited with introducing the game in Scotland.

1457

Golf, along with football, is banned by the Scots Parliament of James II because it has interfered with military training for the wars against the English.

1470

The ban on golf is reaffirmed by the Parliament of James III.

1491

The golf ban is affirmed again by Parliament, this time under King James IV.

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.

1592

The City of Edinburgh bans golfing at Leith on 1592 (continued)

Sunday “in tyme of sermonis.”

1618

Invention of the feathery ball.

1618

King James VI and I confirms the right of the populace to play golf on Sundays.

1621

First recorded reference to golf on the links of Dornoch (later Royal Dornoch), in the far north of Scotland.

1641

Charles II is playing golf at Leith when he learns of the Irish rebellion, marking the beginning of the English Civil War. He finishes his round.

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.

GolfeLife

This entry was posted on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 9:08 am and is filed under golf history. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.