Father of Golf – Who Shaped the Game?

When talking about father of golf, the title refers to the individual credited with turning a pastime into a worldwide sport. Also known as Old Tom Morris, this pioneer lived in 19th‑century Scotland and left a trail of rules, courses, and traditions that still define the game today.

Old Tom Morris didn’t work in a vacuum – his impact is tightly linked to St Andrews, the historic town that became golf’s spiritual home. Father of golf encompasses golf history, requires deep knowledge of course design, and is inseparable from the evolution of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, another pillar of the sport. In short, St Andrews influences the father of golf, the father of golf shapes modern courses, and modern tournaments owe their rules to his groundwork.

Why the Legacy Matters Today

Understanding Old Tom Morris helps you see why 18 holes became the standard, why the Old Course at St Andrews remains a pilgrim’s destination, and why today’s players still follow the same etiquette he helped codify. His innovations – such as standardized hole length, the first professional tournaments, and the introduction of the first set of rules – are the backbone of the game’s structure. Even the modern push for sustainable course design echoes his early experiments with ball‑striking techniques and greens maintenance.

Another key piece of the puzzle is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the governing body that helped preserve the rules and traditions set by the father of golf. This club still oversees major championships, and its archives contain the original minutes where Old Tom’s ideas were debated and adopted. When you hear commentators mention “the spirit of the game,” they’re often referring back to the standards he established.

Below you’ll find a hand‑picked collection of articles that dive deeper into these themes: why golf courses have 18 holes, the history of St Andrews ownership, the evolution of tournament prize money, and more. Each piece connects back to the central story of the father of golf, showing how a single visionary can ripple through centuries of sport.

Ready to explore the full picture? Scroll down to see how Old Tom’s legacy still shapes the fairways, the rules, and the excitement of modern golf.