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Where did the modern game of golf develop?

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Tiger Woods follows through on his golf swing after teeing off, standing in tall grass with spectators watching in the background at St Andrews Golf Links. — golf American golfer Tiger Woods competing at the British Open (Open Championship) at St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 2005.

While various ancient stick-and-ball games—such as the Roman paganica, Chinese chuiwan, and Dutch kolf—are often cited as precursors, the modern game of golf is widely credited to Scotland.12

Although the exact origins are debated, golf as we recognize it today developed in Scotland around 1400. The sport became so popular that it was famously banned by the Scottish Parliament in 1457 because King James II feared it interfered with essential archery practice. The ban was eventually lifted in 1502, and the game gained royal patronage under King James IV.13

Scotland is responsible for the fundamental elements of the modern game, including the development of the 18-hole course, which was standardized at St. Andrews in 1764. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews later became the authority for determining the rules of the sport.1