Why did King James IV of Scotland play golf after earlier bans on the game?
King James IV of Scotland began playing golf after the 1502 Treaty of Glasgow, which temporarily ended the wars between Scotland and England. This political development led to the lifting of previous parliamentary bans on the game, which had been enacted by earlier monarchsāsuch as King James IIāout of concern that golf and football were distracting citizens from essential archery practice needed for national defense.12
Following the end of the conflict, King James IV became an avid golfer and is recognized as the first authenticated player of "real" golf. His interest is well-documented in the lord high treasurerās accounts from 1502, 1503, and 1506, which record payments for his golf equipment and note his participation in betting on the gameās outcome.31