The oldest golf clubs in the world were established in Scotland with Royal Burgess laying claim to being the oldest of the lot – dating from 1735. They played over Bruntsfield Links under Edinburgh Castle for their first 100 years.
The oldest recorded clubs following that are The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers dating from 1744 and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (1754). Royal Blackheath (1766) is the oldest golf club in England.
Savannah Golf Club, USA – 1794
The Savannah Golf Club in Georgia has traced its origins back to 1794 and, although it hasn’t been in continuous existence since then, it can claim to be the oldest golf club in North America.
A note in the September issue of the 1796 Georgia Gazette announced an AGM of the club, with 1st October being the anniversary of the club.
Further historical evidence suggests that the anniversary in question was the second, meaning the club was established in 1794
The oldest club in continuous existence in the USA is the St Andrews Club of New York which was established in 1888.
Royal Calcutta Golf Club, India – 1829
Founded as the Calcutta Golf Club, the Royal status was conferred in 1912 by the King, and then Emperor, George V who had visited earlier in the year.
Initially play was over nine holes at Dum Dum with two further nine hole courses added in the Maidan area.
The current Royal Calcutta course has played host to the Indian Open 19 times between 1964 and 1999. Peter Thomson was winner there in 1976 at the age of 46.
Mauritius Gymkhana Club, Mauritius – 1849
Golf was played in Mauritius from 1844 and the Mauritius Gymkhana Club was founded in 1849.
The club was originally known as the Mauritius Naval and Military Gymkhana Club and was founded as a service club for British officers posted on the island.
Club records show a tournament was organised in 1844 but the club was officially inaugurated in 1849.
The club can claim to be the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
Pau Golf Club, France – 1856
The oldest golf club on continental Europe, Pau was founded by a group of Brits including Lord Hamilton, William Neilson…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly…