History of the ‘Rules of Golf’

It was only in 1952 that the Royal Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association jointly published the Rules of Golf. Before that there were many rules that were different depending on where you played golf. That same year they abolished the Stymie Rule. Before that you were not allowed to mark your ball on the green in singles matchplay (which was the most popular form of golf in Scotland). If it was your turn to putt and a ball was already between you and the hole, you either had to go around it or over it.

PHOTO CREDIT: USGA ARCHIVES