Scotland Golf

St. Andrews actually has two famed golf courses: St. Andrews Old and St. Andrews New. St. Andrews Old course was shortened in 1764 from 22 holes to 18 because some holes were considered too short. This decision by the Society of St. Andrews Golfers unwittingly became the standard for a round of golf from then on.

St. Andrews New course is a relative term, since it was opened in 1895, in response to the huge flock of visitors and new residents that the railway had been bringing to the town since 1852. However, compared to the long existence of the Old course, it is indeed the New course. Many St. Andrews' families contributed greatly to the development of golf before and after the opening of St. Andrews New course.

Of all the families, the Robertson families of St. Andrews led the way in professional golfing. Allan Robertson is generally considered the first "pro" golfer, although his grandfather Peter may actually deserve that honor. Generations of their families also made the golf balls, with as many as two dozen relatives at a time working on them. In 1848, James Patterson discovered a different ball, the "gutty" (from the gutta-percha tree), a ball that was so durable that golf irons were then developed.

Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris set the championship standards for the game, after Old Tom developed the Prestwick Golf Club links. Young Tom actually grew up on the Prestwick links that his father created. Willie Park Sr. and Jr. challenged them for championship titles, with all four well-liked men setting the standards for sportsmanship that have come down to this day. That is quite a legacy for anyone to leave behind.