
Scottish Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in Scotland. It was formed in 2015 through a merger between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association. The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland, which is widely promoted as the Home of Golf. There are over 550 golf courses throughout the country, with at least 21 courses in Edinburgh alone. The Scottish Golf Union was established in 1920 and is based in St Andrews, Fife. It organises tournaments, manages Scotland's national teams, and promotes the game by lobbying governments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses | More than 550 |
| Number of courses in Edinburgh | At least 21 |
| Number of courses in Glasgow | Not known, but Glasgow has the most courses per head of any city |
| Oldest golf course | The Old Course at St Andrews, dating to before 1574 |
| Other famous golf courses | Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry and Royal Troon |
| Governing body | Scottish Golf |
| Golfing organisations | The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (The R&A), Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, Scottish Golf Union (SGU) |
| Golf tourism spending | 2% of overall Scottish tourism spending in 2004 |
| First recorded | 15th century |
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What You'll Learn

Scottish Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in Scotland
Scotland is widely promoted as the "Home of Golf". The country has over 550 golf courses, the most per head of any country, with the majority located in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Golf is considered a key part of Scottish culture and is used to market the country to potential visitors.
The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland. The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) was established in 1920 as the governing body for men's golf in Scotland. The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the equivalent body for women, was founded in 1904. In 2015, these two organisations merged to form Scottish Golf, the current governing body for amateur golf in Scotland.
Scottish Golf is responsible for administering the Rules of Golf, as laid down by The R&A, at the national level. It organises tournaments, manages Scotland's national teams, and promotes the game, for example, by lobbying governments. The organisation is based in St Andrews, Fife, and is affiliated with The R&A, which is also based in St Andrews.
Some of the famous golf courses in Scotland include the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry, and Royal Troon. The game has a long history in Scotland, with the word "golf" first recorded in the 15th century, and the country has produced several golfers who are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
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Golf is a key part of Scottish national culture
Golf is deeply rooted in Scottish history and culture. It is widely promoted as the "Home of Golf" and is considered a key national cultural icon worldwide. The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland, with the first record of the sport dating back to the Scottish late Middle Ages. The word "golf" was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an act of the Scots Parliament of 6 March 1457, during the reign of James II.
Scotland has a significant number of golf courses, with over 550 across the country and at least 21 in Edinburgh alone. The country boasts the most courses per capita of any nation. Iconic golf destinations in Scotland include St Andrews, an ancient links course dating back to before 1574, Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry, and Royal Troon. The Bruntsfield Links is also notable as the site of the first golf clubhouse and the oldest golf pub.
Golf has played a significant role in shaping Scottish society and its global reputation. The sport is frequently used to market the country to potential visitors, and golf tourism accounted for approximately 2% of overall Scottish tourism spending in 2004. The Homecoming year in 2009 is a notable example of promoting golf as a key aspect of Scottish culture to attract visitors.
The Scottish Golf Union (SGU), the governing body for men's golf, and the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, its equivalent for women, merged in 2015 to form Scottish Golf, the current governing body for amateur golf in Scotland. This organisation is based in St Andrews, Fife, and is responsible for organising tournaments, managing national teams, and promoting the game. Scottish Golf is affiliated with The R&A, also based in St Andrews, which administers the Rules of Golf at the national level.
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There are over 550 golf courses in Scotland
Scotland is widely regarded as the "Home of Golf". The sport is a key part of the country's culture and is often used to market Scotland to potential visitors. Golf has been part of the Scottish sporting landscape since at least the 15th century, when it was banned by King James II in 1457.
The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland, and the country now boasts over 550 golf courses. Scotland has the most golf courses per capita of any country, with the majority located in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The capital city alone has at least 21 courses.
Some of the most famous golf courses in Scotland include the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry, and Royal Troon. The Old Course at St Andrews is considered a site of pilgrimage for many golfers. It is an ancient links course dating back to before 1574 and has hosted the Open Championship 29 times. Muirfield is the course of "The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers", the world's oldest golf club, which was formed in 1744.
Golf in Scotland is accessible to people from all walks of life, with many council-owned courses offering low fees and easy access. This egalitarian tradition sets the country apart from other places where golf may be seen as an elitist sport.
The variety of golf courses in Scotland showcases the country's natural beauty, from the rugged landscapes of the Highlands to the stunning sea views of coastal courses. The Ailsa course at the Turnberry Resort, for example, offers superb views of the Firth of Clyde and the Mull of Kintyre. Royal Dornoch Golf Club, meanwhile, is known for its spellbinding natural links that attract golfers from around the world.
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The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association was founded in 1904
Golf is a key part of Scottish culture and the country is widely promoted as the "Home of Golf". The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland, with the first recording of the sport taking place in the Scottish late Middle Ages. The word "golf" was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an act of the Scots Parliament of 6 March 1457, in the reign of James II.
The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA) was founded in 1904, ahead of its male counterpart, the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), founded in 1920. The SLGA was the first women's golf association in the UK, with the Welsh Ladies Golf Union also being founded in the same year. In 1904, there were 14 ladies' golf clubs or sections in Scotland, with ten of them meeting in the Grand Hotel in London to found the Ladies Golf Union. The founding of the SLGA was a significant step towards gender equality in golf, as women golfers took initiative to address the problem of significant variation in golf course difficulty, which affected both men and women golfers. From 1896, the LGU developed a handicapping system, which was eventually adopted by men's golf associations.
The SLGA and the SGU merged in 2015 to form a new organisation, Scottish Golf, which is now the national governing body for the sport of golf in Scotland. Scottish Golf aims to make golf accessible to everyone in the country.
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The Scottish Golf Union was established in 1920
Golf is a key part of Scottish culture and the country is widely promoted as the "Home of Golf". The modern game of golf was first developed and established in Scotland, with the first record of the game dating back to the late Middle Ages. The word "golf" was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an act of the Scots Parliament of 6 March 1457, in the reign of James II. There has been much debate about the origins of the game and how it was played, but it is certain that the game, as we know it today, was born in Scotland.
The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) was established in 1920 as the governing body for men's golf in Scotland. It was based in St Andrews, Fife, and was affiliated with The R&A, which is also based in St Andrews. The R&A is responsible for administering the Rules of Golf at the national level. In 2015, the SGU merged with the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, which was founded in 1904, to form a new organisation called Scottish Golf. This new body governs amateur golf in Scotland and continues to be based in St Andrews.
The establishment of the SGU in 1920 was an important step in the development of golf in Scotland. It provided a governing body for the sport, which helped to standardise the rules and organise tournaments. The SGU also played a role in promoting the game at a national level, including lobbying governments. Additionally, the SGU was responsible for managing Scotland's national golf teams.
The history of golf in Scotland is a long and fascinating one, with the game being played for centuries. There are now more than 550 golf courses throughout the country, with at least 21 courses in Edinburgh alone. Scotland has the most golf courses per capita of any country, and the sport continues to be a significant part of Scottish culture and tourism.
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Frequently asked questions
Scottish Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in Scotland.
Scottish Golf was formed in 2015 through a merger between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association. The SGU was established in 1920.
Scottish Golf organises tournaments, manages Scotland's national teams, and promotes the game, for example, by lobbying governments.
Scottish Golf is based in St Andrews, Fife.
Scotland is known as the "'Home of Golf'" and has over 550 golf courses. Some famous courses include St Andrews, Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry, and Royal Troon.











































