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Golf as we know it today originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife during the 15th century. Players would hit a pebble around a natural course of sand dunes, rabbit runs and tracks using a stick or primitive club.

Some historians believe that Kolven from Holland and Chole from Belgium influenced the game. The latter was introduced into Scotland in 1421. However while these games and countless others are stick and ball games, they are missing that vital ingredient that is unique to golf - the hole. Whatever the argument, there can be no dispute that Scotland gave birth to the game we know as golf today.

During the mid-15th century, Scotland was preparing to defend itself against an English invasion. The population's enthusiastic pursuit of golf and soccer to the neglect of military training (archery primarily) caused the Scottish parliament of King James II to ban both sports in 1457. The ban was reaffirmed in 1470 and 1491 although people largely ignored it. Only in 1502 with the Treaty of Glasgow was the ban lifted with King James IV (James 1 of England) himself taking up the sport.

Golf's status and popularity quickly spread throughout the 16th century due to it's royal endorsement. King Charles I popularised the game in England and Mary Queen of Scots, who was French, introduced the game to France while she studied there. Indeed the term 'caddie stems from the name given to her helpers who were the French Military, known in french as cadets.

The premier golf course of the time was Leith near Edinburgh. Indeed King Charles I was on the course when given the news of the Irish rebellion of 1641. Leith was also the scene of the first international golf match in 1682 when the Duke of York and George Patterson playing for Scotland beat two English noblemen.

The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith (1744) was the first club and was formed to promote an annual competition with a silver golf club as the prize.

The Kingdom of Fife boasts more than forty courses, from famed fairways of and several traditional seaside links to beautifully landscaped parkland and heathland courses. Not only is justly proud of its golfing Heritage with the renowned Old Course, there are several other courses of distinction, together with a superb practice centre providing pitch and putt, a floodlit driving range and video facilities. The British Golf Museum, just behind the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse traces 500 years of golfing history.

Venture beyond and you will be rewarded with a plethora of superb courses, suitable for golfers of all levels. From magnificent and testing 18-hole courses with full facilities to picturesque 9-holers, the choice is almost endless.

The Ancient Kingdom has always been at the heart of Scottish History and still we cherish its wealth of castles, cathedrals, gardens and places of interest. A relaxing atmosphere prevails throughout Fife, from the delightful fishing villages of the East Neuk to - the golfing centre of the world, and from the rolling hills of the Howe to the historic capital of Dunfermline. The Ancient Kingdom has always been at the heart of Scottish History and still we cherish its wealth of castles, cathedrals, gardens and places of interest. A relaxing atmosphere prevails throughout Fife, from the delightful fishing villages of the East Neuk to - the golfing centre of the world, and from the rolling hills of the Howe to the historic capital of Dunfermline.

The City and Royal Burgh of Dunfermline is located on high ground 5 miles (8.0 km) from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth on the route of major road and rail crossings across the firth to Edinburgh and the south. Dunfermline has a population of 45,462, making this the largest settlement in Fife. The town also falls under the wider Dunfermline and West-Fife Local Plan area which has an overall total population of around 100,324.