Golf enthusiasts have the opportunity to see what is believed to be the world’s oldest hole-cutter at the National Library of Scotland.
The artefact has been loaned to the library by the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club to display in its popular golf exhibition which runs until March 20th.
Olive Geddes, curator from the National Library of Scotland, described the hole-cutter as a “fascinating piece of golfing history” and said it was bound to capture the interest of any golfing aficionado.
She said: “This hole cutter was bought by Musselburgh Golf Club for £1 in 1829 and may well be the oldest in existence. It makes holes of 4¼ inches in diameter which was confirmed as the official diameter in 1894.
“Our golf exhibition has had tremendous feedback since its opening last year, and finally comes to a close this month. With this new item giving the exhibition an added appeal, now is as good a time as ever to drop by if you haven’t already.”
A Swing Through Time exhibition – which has been visited by famous faces including Sir Sean Connery and Colin Montgomerie – showcases some of the most iconic items in the history of the game. More than 200 items are on display, including letters, diaries, photographs, account books, portraits, trophies, written club records and museum artefacts.
Amongst the many golfing gems are the earliest known written rules drawn up in 1744 by the world’s oldest golf club, The Company of Gentlemen Golfers, as well as the club’s first ever minute book and the silver golf club donated by Edinburgh Town Council as a prize for its competition at the world-famous Leith Links.
A Swing Through Time exhibition is open to the public until March 20th, at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Entry is free.
For further information log onto The National Library website
