Scotland's love affair with golf

Colin Montgomerie is Scotland's number one golfer

Golf, or a version of it, has been played in Scotland since the early 15th century.

It is almost certainly the birthplace of the game and has a tradition in the sport which is unrivalled.

In a country where football is by far the most popular sport, the number of world-class golfers produced far outweighs those produced on the football field.

With some of the most famous courses in the world within its shores, Scotland can truly claim to be the home of golf.

Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance

It was in Scotland that the rules of the game were first drawn up, where the first Open Championships were held and where the game's ruling body was set up.

Although the game now has a worldwide appeal, with players from all corners of the globe attaining top-class status, Scotland led the way in making the sport the success it has become.

The creation of such courses as those at Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Muirfield and, of course, St Andrews has given Scotland an unparalleled list of historic clubs.

Popularity boom

Newer courses like Loch Lomond prove that modern clubs can be just as spectacular and popular as those created hundreds of years ago.

The boom in popularity of golf in Scotland came about primarily after The Open came into being in 1860.

The fact that green fees were unknown in the early days of the sport meant that there were no real obstacles to the general public playing on their local links course.

Sandy Lyle is one of Scotland's recent successes

The game has only increased in popularity since those days with tens of thousands of golf club members in the country.

Scotland still produces its fair share of world-class golfers, with Colin Montgomerie and Open champion, Paul Lawrie, the latest examples.

Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance, former US Masters champion, Sandy Lyle, and Ryder Cup winning captain, Bernard Gallacher, have all brought glory to these shores in recent years.

With a crop of players including Gary Orr, Andrew Coltart and Raymond Russell pushing for success, Scotland will always be there or thereabouts when it comes to handing out the honours.