Speaker at the 9th October meeting was Hannah Fleming, Museum and Heritage Assistant Curator, who spoke interestingly and very enthusiastically about the popular British Golf Museum, located in St Andrews. So far this year more than 211,000 visitors have passed through its doors.We were taken on a journey through the 600 years or so of golfing history. Did the game originate as ‘chuiwan’ in China, as ‘Kolf’ or ‘Colf’ in the Netherlands,  as ‘Jeu de Mall’ in France - or was it Scotland? 

We heard that since it started in 1990 the museum has established itself as the most comprehensive golf collection in Britain - and one of the finest worldwide.

Collections tell the fascinating story of British golf, through material dating from the 17th century to the present day. Over 16,000 items cover equipment, prizes, decorative art, film, photographs and archives. Displays and archives are enhanced by unique loan collections from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and The Women Golfers’ Museum.

From the earliest times, golf has been a sociable game. For 18th century golfing societies, gathering for dinner after play, often in local inns or taverns, was very much part of the day - and members were often required to pay for their food and wine whether or not they attended!

In todays world where the finest golfers can earn enormous sums, it was interesting to learn that the term ‘professional’ only became common in the 1850s. Before then, men who were not ‘gentlemen’ golfers were described by their trade, for example ball maker, club maker, caddie or green keeper. Few could make a living from playing golf alone.

The first reference to tournament golf dates from 1819.  Sweepstakes contributed by members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club were played for by the town’s ball makers, club makers and caddies. Professional matches, first reported in St Andrews in the 1830s, were common by the 1840s.  The stakes, which were often high, were put up by backers, rather than the players. 

Hannah brought to life the exploits of some of the finest players of their day. Feather ball maker Allan Robertson was the greatest player of his generation - so far ahead of others that he was banned from some sweepstake competitions! Willie Dunn and then later Tom Morris Senior and Willie Park.

A fascinating talk that had golfers in the audience entranced. Following questions a vote of thanks was proposed by Ian McBain.