King James II Decreed in an Act of Parliament, That Golf Be Utterly Cried Down and Not Used

The first known ban was issued by the Scottish Parliament under King James II of Scotland in 1457. The Act of Parliament declared that golf (and football) should be “utterly cried down and not used” because it was believed that these sports were distractions to the practice of archery. At the time, archery was considered essential for national defense, and the government was concerned that young men were spending too much time on leisure activities such as golf, which was detrimental to military preparedness.

Subsequent Scottish monarchs reiterated this ban, including King James III in 1471 and King James IV in 1491, indicating ongoing concerns about golf interfering with military training. However, the ban was not strictly enforced, and golf continued to be played. Interestingly, King James IV later became a golfer himself, purchasing golf equipment as early as 1502, which suggests a change in royal attitudes towards the game.

These early prohibitions highlight the long history of golf in Scotland and its importance in Scottish culture, even amidst concerns about its impact on military readiness. Over time, golf evolved to become one of the country’s most celebrated sports, with Scotland internationally recognized as the “Home of Golf.”