The world's most famous painting of golf, The Golfers, is now on display in the Museum. It has been loaned to the Museum for 2 months only, by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The painting was bought for the people of Scotland by The Scottish National Portrait Gallery with the help from The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Art Fund, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and The Strathtryum Trust.

The Golfers: A Grand Match played over the Links of St. Andrews on the day of the Annual Meeting of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, to give it its full-title, was completed in 1847. The painting features an array of colourful characters including most of the leading amateur players of the era as well as the great early professionals, Allan Robertson and Willie Dunn. It shows a two ball foursome match watched by a large crowd, whereby the artist has skilfully left the audience wondering if the ball will go in the hole.

We are delighted to be able to display The Golfers in the Museum, in its home setting of St. Andrews and would urge all our visitors to view this extraordinary masterpiece.