The World’s Oldest Golf Course
It is generally accepted that the Old Course at St. Andrews is the world’s oldest golf course in the world. That may or may not be correct depending on your definition of a golf course.
The Guinness Book of World Records has officially recognized the Old Golf Course at Musselburgh Links as the oldest in the world. According to the Account Book of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, the earliest game played on Musselburgh Links took place on March 2, 1672. He also mentions that “Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played here in 1567″.
The Old Golf Course was originally a seven-hole course. The eighth and ninth holes were added in 1838 and 1870 respectively. Musselburgh Links also hosted the original Open Championships six times between 1874 and 1889.
The course today is still only a nine hole course as compared to St. Andrews which is 18 holes. That difference is why St. Andrews is considered the world’s oldest golf course. That seems to me to be unfair. I consider nine holes to be a real golf course so for me the Old Golf Course at Musselburgh Links is the world’s oldest golf course. Please do not tell the Royal and Ancient my opinion as they may never let me in the country.
The Course Today.
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