In 1618, King James I declares that golf should be allowed on Sundays after the golfers had 'first done their duties to God'.

The first golf equipment purchase on record was in 1502 by King James IV of Scotland from a bowmaker in Perth, Scotland.

In 1567 - two days after the murder of her husband - Mary, Queen of Scots was accused of playing golf instead of mourning.

The first improvement in golf equipment came in 1618 with the arrival of the feather ball, or 'featherie', as it was known. King James I grants monopoly for 21 years to James Melville for the manufacture of golf balls, provided that he does not charge more than four shillings a ball.

The first recorded international golf match pits the Duke of York and John Paterstone of Scotland against to English Noblemen. The Scots won.