World's Oldest Golf Courses
The courses where golf was born — some dating back over 470 years to the very origins of the game in Scotland.
Golf has been played in Scotland since at least the 15th century, with the first written reference to the game appearing in a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament. The courses below are the oldest continuously played golf venues in the world — living links between the modern game and its ancient origins.
East Lothian, Scotland
Guinness World Record holder as the oldest continuously playing golf course. Documented evidence of golf played here in 1672, with claims Mary, Queen of Scots played nearby in 1567.
View course →Fife, Scotland
Golf was first played on the links at St Andrews in the early 15th century. In 1764 the course established the 18-hole standard still used worldwide today.
View course →Angus, Scotland
One of the oldest golf courses in the world, with records of play dating to around 1562.
View course →Fife, Scotland
A classic Fife links with records of play from 1589, one of the oldest continuously used golf grounds in Scotland.
View course →Edinburgh, Scotland
Documented play from 1695 in the heart of Edinburgh. One of the oldest golf clubs in the world.
View course →Scottish Highlands
A Highland links with records dating to around 1702, overlooking the Black Isle.
View course →East Lothian, Scotland
Established in 1774, one of the oldest golf clubs in the world with a rich competitive history.
View course →Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Founded in 1780 as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, making it one of the six oldest golf clubs in the world.
View course →Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Established in 1791 on the dramatic Aberdeenshire coastline, one of Scotland's most celebrated links.
View course →Fife, Scotland
Founded in 1817, Scotscraig is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world and a founding member of The R&A.
View course →World Top 100
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