Is it true that John Knox . . .

R Harris · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:40 PM

played golf at the St. Andrews Old Course?

I thought that Chris Coldwell mentioned this somewhere when he addressed the issue of Calvin bowling on the Sabbath in his great book "Calvin in the Hands of the Philistines."

Do you have any info on that Chris?

***toddpedlar*** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:47 PM

He might very well have played golf on the old course, but he never would have done so on the Lord's Day, even if he'd wanted to (which I doubt). The old course is closed on the Lord's Day, as it has always been, with the exception of four modern golf tournaments if hosted by the course (including The Open).

LawrenceU · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:52 PM

From this website: http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-history-of-golf.html

Quote:

Though not all churchmen disliked golf, though he may not have played on a Sunday, it is reputed that the famous Scottish reformer John Knox was the first to yell `fore!’ when his errant ball was heading towards a group of other players.

I'm pretty sure it is verifiable.

Perhaps he played just to stick it King James. . .

***NaphtaliPress*** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:54 PM

I haven't heard that one. Knox died in 1572 and the oldest record of golf being played on the old course is 1574. As that was probably not the first time, it is possible I guess, but I don't know.
See,

Old_Course_at_St_Andrews

P. F. Pugh · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:59 PM

If so, he was the first in a long and illustrious line of Presbyterian golfers.

***toddpedlar*** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. F. Pugh

If so, he was the first in a long and illustrious line of Presbyterian golfers.

Like R. C. Sproul and Alice Cooper... (though Alice is a Bible church member, not a Presbyterian, but he has golfed with RC)

jambo · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaphtaliPress

I haven't heard that one. Knox died in 1572 and the oldest record of golf being played on the old course is 1574. As that was probably not the first time, it is possible I guess, but I don't know.
See,
Old Course at St Andrews - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I would beg to differ. King James banned his soldiers from playing golf in 1457 as it distracted his soldiers from archery. This shows golf would be fairly well established by Knox's time. It was in 1552 that residents of St. Andrews were given the right to use the links for golf and other pastimes.

St Andrews Links Trust - Welcome

Whether Knox played golf or not at St Andrews would never be known (unless someone can find his scorecard!) but he could have played there.

**DMcFadden** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddpedlar

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. F. Pugh

If so, he was the first in a long and illustrious line of Presbyterian golfers.

Like R. C. Sproul and Alice Cooper... (though Alice is a Bible church member, not a Presbyterian, but he has golfed with RC)

"Alice's" father-in-law, Bill, is a friend of mine. Bill asked me if I were available to serve as the interim pastor of his church when he retired a few years back. It was great hearing Bill tell stories about how conventional and conservative Alice really is in normal life. Evidently he does devotions with his wife daily, attends church and small group Bbile study regularly, and is a model husband and father.

My interim pastorate was notable for the number of Fuller profs and grads in the congregation (e.g., profs Glen Stassen, David Scholer, and Robert Meye and a dozen or so grads or students).

Knox liked to golf?!? I thought golf was the devil's game?