The 10 oldest golf courses in the world based on the year established
Once upon a time...
Golf has been around for centuries, with the game’s origins dotting the Scottish countryside in a link-style maze that dates back to the 1500s.
Like anything with that much history, pinpointing the exact timeframes can be somewhat of a gray area saturated in a proverbial Scottish haar. But golf historians have pieced together enough evidence to take the gossip and turn it into a chronological timeline of the game’s oldest courses.
Based on the dates of course establishment, these are the oldest courses in the world…
10. Carnoustie Golf Links
Year Established: 1842
9. North Berwick West Links
Year Established: 1832
8. Scotscraig Golf Course
Year Established: 1817
7. Kinghorn Golf Course
Year Established: 1812
6. Kingsbarns Golf Links
Year Established: 1793
5. Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Course
Year Established: 1702
4. Musselburgh Links
Year Established: 1672
3. Elie and Earlsferry Links
Year Established: 1589
2. Montrose Golf Links
Year established: 1562
1. Old Course at St. Andrews
Year Established: 1552
