Golf Timeline Homepage
1452
Earliest known reference to golf is made when King James II of Scotland bans the playing of the game (along with football, or soccer) because it is keeping his subjects from their archery practice.
The first-recorded sale of a golf ball takes place.
King James III of Scotland reaffirms the ban on golf.
King James IV of Scotland reaffirms the ban on golf.
Ban on golf is repealed by King James IV of Scotland, who takes up the game himself.
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).
First known reference to golf in St. Andrews, Scotland.
1553
The Archbishop of St. Andrews issues a decree giving the local populace the right to play golf on the links at St. Andrews.
Mary Queen of Scots (who was actually French, and the daughter of James IV) is criticized for playing golf just a day or two after the murder of her husband.
