Home of Golf
Thousands
of years ago, the land rose and the sea level dropped. Sand dunes formed, the sea brought seeds of marram and lyme
grass from other shores and turned this stretch of coast into 'links'; - what nature had created, with ready-made
fairways and bunkers, was the first golf course!
Golf
was first played in St Andrews around 1400. It proved so popular that it was prohibited by King James II
in 1457. Despite other setbacks, such as the 'Rabbit Wars' of
the early 19th century, the game flourished and spread from St Andrews to the rest of the world. Today, St Andrews is
a place of pilgrimage for golfers of all abilities, from champions to amateurs. They come to test themselves against
the Old Course, to soak in the atmosphere, and to recall the great matches that have been played here in the past. The
Old Course is a regular venue for the Open Championship and hosted the Open during the millennium year and again in
2005.
Including the Old Course, the town has six golf courses and
a seventh planned, and there are many more nearby - and over 60 within an hour's drive!
