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| The late Seve Ballesteros, an Open winner at St Andrews in 1984, was one of the stars who donated items to the British Golf Museum - in his case (pictured right), a wedge used to win the Open for a second time at Lytham in 1988, and a pair of his size 11 golf shoes. The origins of the museum - once described as a "cabinet of curiosities" - date back to 1864 when the Royal and Ancient Golf Club decided to start a collection of "articles relative to the game." In 1990 this became the British Golf Museum, which now displays the biggest collection of the sport's memorabilia in Europe. This attractive and well thought-out attraction shows golf in a sometimes surprising light. The first sport to get a set of rules (in 1744) also set the pace in embracing professionalism, accepting sponsorship and letting women compete. Mary Queen of Scots was an early enthusiast, causing scandal when she played golf a little too soon after the murder of her husband in 1567. The museum reflects that history, modern-day stars, and golf’s advances – from the first wood and feather balls, through gutta percha sap (when dimples were added to help balls go further) and rubber to modern synthetic materials. An impressive final gallery packs a lot in – TV action from past Opens, a putting green, golf’s wildlife and the discovery that the sport has a technology testing centre – to make sure every innovation is within the rules. There are still plenty of curiosities – like a pre-First World War yearbook that lists the Tientsin course in China as having elevated funeral mounds among the hazards for players. “A unique local bye-law permits the lifting of a ball from an open coffin without penalty,” it notes rather gruesomely. There probably isn’t enough for a less than enthusiastic young visitor to get his or her hands on, but an aspiring Donald or McIlroy would have a great day. An Open trail booklet is included in the admission price and a more extensive guide is pitched at a wider audience than just golf obsessives. Just 67 yards from the Old Course, its location makes complete sense in terms of golf's history and the role of St Andrews, especially with the Open Championship held here every five years. It is just a shame that this impressive museum cannot be seen by more people. What price an offshoot - a satellite museum or exhibition - in Edinburgh, Glasgow or even London? Just a stone’s throw from the Museum lie the West Sands, where the opening (Vangelis-backed) shots of the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire were filmed. |
