Some history of golf in East Lothian
It is believed that golf was played on the East coast of Scotland as far back as the
1400's.
By the 16th century, golf was so popular on the commons of Edinburgh
that several golf clubs were looking to escape from the city and find more space.
East Lothian, just a short distance to the east of Edinburgh, offered miles of
natural sandy links that were perfect for golf.
The nine holes of The Old Golf Course at Musselburgh Links (now surrounded by a
racecourse) is recognised as the oldest playing course in the world. Records
show that golf was played here in 1672.
Musselburgh Links was the home of four of Scotland's oldest and most celebrated
golf clubs. The Royal Musselburgh
was formed here in 1774 and was based at the links
until 1925. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was also based at
Musselburgh from 1836 to 1891 followed by the Royal Burgess Golfing Society
from 1874 to 1895.
Records for the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which is now based at
Muirfield, date back to 1744 when the Club wrote the original 13 Rules of Golf.
In 1872 the British Open Championship began alternating between
Prestwick,
St Andrews
and Musselburgh Links. Muirfield joined the Open Championship rota in 1892.
Another of Musselburgh's contributions to the game of golf came in the form of
the four and a quarter inch (108mm) diameter cup.
Up until the late 19th
century the diameter of the hole was arbitrary, but in 1893 the Royal and
Ancient adopted Musselburgh's size, which, it is claimed, just happened to be the width of
Musselburgh's greenkeeper's hole-cutter. Along with the now standard 4-inch
depth, it has remained as standard throughout the world ever since.