There is much evidence of golf being played on an informal basis in the early decades of the 18th century. However, there are no surviving rules or records of golfing societies from before 1744.

The first Rules of Golf date from 1744: they were written for the Annual Challenge for the Silver Club organised by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

Blackheath, Glasgow, Musselburgh, St Andrews and the Honourable Company played an Annual Challenge for a Silver Club.

The winner would place a silver ball on the Silver Club, or in Musselburgh’s case a silver medal on a Silver Cup, and become Captain for the next year.

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