The Oldest Golf Club in Every Country: European Edition
While golf as we know it originated in Scotland, its roots stretch across Europe and even further back in time. As early as the 13th century, games involving clubs and balls were played in various regions: 'chole' in Belgium and France, 'jeu de mail' in France, and 'beugelen' and 'klosbaan' in the Netherlands. These games shared striking similarities with modern golf — chole, for example, was played with iron-headed clubs and aimed at a target in as few strokes as possible. Remarkably, beugelen is still played today in parts of the Netherlands. These precursors laid a cultural foundation for the game we now associate so strongly with Scottish tradition.
In this first article of a new series exploring golf’s global roots by continent, we turn our attention to Europe, the birthplace of the modern game. From Scotland, where the game was first formalized, to Norway, where Europe’s youngest centenary golf club was founded in 1924, each course in this list captures a moment in golf’s journey across the continent. These clubs are more than sporting venues — they’re living records of how golf adapted to different landscapes, communities, and eras.
Exploring Europe's Most Historic Golf Clubs
Below all the the oldest golf clubs per country in Europe are listed. Only clubs are shown that are at least 100 years old. So, if a club was founded after 1925, that club and country will not be shown.
🏴 Scotland: Royal Burgess Golfing Society (Founded in 1735)
The Royal Burgess Golfing Society, established in 1735, is recognised as the oldest golf society in the world. The society was originally known as 'The Society of Golfers in and about Edinburgh,' later adopting the name "The Edinburgh Golfing Society." Its early members played on the historic Bruntsfield Links. The Royal Burgess course at Barnton was designed by Tom Morris and Willie Park Jnr., and in the 1920's redesigned by James Braid. Royal Burgess blends historic design with modern parkland beauty. Tree-lined fairways, fast greens, and strategic bunkering define its challenge, with standout holes like the picturesque 11th and the deceptively tricky 18th
Website: Royal Burgess
Address: 181 Whitehouse Rd, Edinburgh EH4 6BU, Scotland
🏴 England: Royal Blackheath Golf Club (Founded in 1745)
Royal Blackheath Golf Club is not only the oldest in England but one of the oldest golf clubs outside Scotland. While informal records trace its origins as early as 1608, the club was officially founded in 1745. It was originally established by Scottish merchants in London and played a crucial role in spreading the game south of the border. The club’s museum boasts one of the richest collections of golf artifacts in the world. The current course was designed by Tom Dunn and was later enhanced by James Braid in the 1920s. James Braid was a busy man that year, as he also did some work for Royal Burgess. In 2014, architect Ken Moodie modernized the layout, shaping the challenging parkland course enjoyed today.
Website: Royal Blackheath
Address: Court Rd, London SE9 5AF, England
🇫🇷 France: Pau Golf Club (Founded in 1856)
Established in 1856, Pau Golf Club is the oldest golf club in continental Europe. Founded by a group of British expatriates seeking the therapeutic benefits of Pau's climate, the club became a social hub for the British community. Located on the plains of Billère near the Gave de Pau river, the course offers scenic views of the Pyrenees and lies just a short drive from the Jurançon vineyards and the Château de Pau National Park. The course, designed by Willie Dunn, offers a traditional parkland layout and favors precision and strategy, with small, well-defended greens, out-of-bounds areas on the front nine, and water hazards on the back nine.
Website: Pau Golf Club
Address: Rue du Golf, 64140 Billère, France
🇮🇪 Ireland: Royal Curragh Golf Club (Founded in 1858)
Royal Curragh Golf Club, established in 1858, is Ireland's oldest golf club. Located on the Curragh plains in County Kildare, the course has a rich military history and offers a challenging heathland layout. The club has undergone significant renovations to modernize its facilities while preserving its historical significance. The course is routed over rolling terrain which is naturally well drained, allowing play during wet periods when others are closed.
Website: Royal Curragh Golf Club
Address: Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare, Ireland
🇬🇧 Northern-Ireland: Royal Belfast Golf Club (Founded in 1881)
In 1881, Thomas Sinclair and George L. Baillie founded Northern-Ireland’s oldest golf club with a 9-hole course at Kinnegar. The first competition took place that December, and Royal status was granted in 1885. Growing popularity led to moves: first to Carnalea in 1892 and then to its current site at Craigavad after WWI.
Website: Royal Belfast Golf Club
Address: Station Road, Craigavad, Holywood, BT18 0BP, Northern-Ireland
🇧🇪 Belgium: Royal Antwerp Golf Club (Founded in 1888)
As Belgium’s oldest golf club, Royal Antwerp Golf Club was established in 1888 and is a symbol of prestige. Originally founded near the city of Antwerp, it moved to its current heathland location in Kapellen in 1912. The course was redesigned in 1930 by renowned architect Tom Simpson, who introduced a traditional British layout with sandy fairways and pine-fringed greens. It has proudly hosted several editions of the Belgian Open and remains a cornerstone of Belgian golf.
Website: Royal Antwerp Golf Club
Address: Torenlei 1, 2950 Kapellen, Belgium
🇲🇹 Malta: Royal Malta Golf Club (Founded in 1888)
The Royal Malta Golf Club, established in 1888, is Malta's oldest golf club. Founded by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens, the club has a rich colonial heritage. Located in Marsa, the course offers a lush oasis amid Malta's Mediterranean landscape. Fun fact: when Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens was appointed to command British troops in South Africa one of his first actions was to found the Cape Golf Club (the forerunner of Royal Cape).
Website: Royal Malta Golf Club
Address: Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, Malta
🏴 Wales: Tenby Golf Club (Founded in 1888)
Tenby Golf Club, established in 1888, is Wales' oldest golf club. Located in the coastal town of Tenby, the course offers a classic links layout with stunning views of the Pembrokeshire coastline. Shaped by the surrounding dunes and native grasses, the course evolved organically over time. It was the vision of pioneering designer James Braid, however, that refined it into the classic links layout we know today. The club continues to be a favorite among golfers seeking a traditional links experience.
Website: Tenby Golf Club
Address: The Burrows, Tenby SA70 7NP, Wales
🇵🇹 Portugal: Oporto Golf Club (Founded in 1890)
Oporto Golf Club, founded in 1890, is Portugal's oldest golf club and the second oldest in continental Europe. Located in Espinho, the links-style course was established by British expatriates involved in the port wine trade. The club was first known as Oporto Niblicks, but was renamed to Oporto Golf Club in 1900 when a new 9-hole links course was designed and which was built a little further south of the original course. After 20 years, nine more holes were designed and in 1934 the complete 18-hole course with links characteristics was inaugurated.
Website: Oporto Golf Club
Address: Rua do Golf, 4500-000 Espinho, Portugal
🇪🇸 Spain: Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas (Founded in 1891)
Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, founded in 1891 and located in Gran Canaria, is Spain's oldest golf club. The Las Palmas Golf Club, as it was called initially, was founded due to British residents' desire to play golf locally and English investors' aim to enhance early tourism with golf as an added attraction. The course was designed by English architect Mackenzie Ross and is set on the edge of the Bandama crater with stunning views over the Atlantic while providing excellent course conditions.
Website: Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
Address: Carretera de Bandama, s/n, 35319 Santa Brígida, Las Palmas, Spain
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & Country Club (Founded in 1893)
Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & Country Club, founded in 1893, is the oldest golf club in the Netherlands and became 'royal' in 1993. Initially founded as Hague Golf Club, the club's name was changed to Haagsche Golf Club around 1905 and in 1947, prior to the move to Wassenaar, to Haagsche Golf & Country Club. Now located in Wassenaar, the course is renowned for its links-style layout set amidst dunes and heathland. The current course was designed in 1938 by renowned architects Harry Colt and Col. Hugh Alison, with Alison’s influence seen in the larger bunkers and more dramatic layout.
Website: Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & Country Club
Address: Van Brienenlaan 2, 2244 AZ Wassenaar, Netherlands
🇨🇭Switzerland: Engadine Golf Club (Founded in 1893)
Engadine Golf Club, also founded in 1893, is Switzerland's oldest golf club. Its original course, located in Samedan, remains in play today. A second course, Zuoz-Madulain, was added in 2003, and is situated approximately nine kilometres away from Samedan. Both courses are set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps, providing a unique golfing experience.
Website: Engadine Golf Club
Address: Via Maistra 54, 7503 Samedan, Switzerland
🇩🇰 Denmark: Royal Copenhagen Golf Club (Founded in 1898)
Founded in 1898, Royal Copenhagen Golf Club is Denmark’s first and oldest golf club. It now sits within Dyrehaven, a UNESCO-protected royal deer park north of Copenhagen but initially it was located at Lammefælleden. The current course opened for play in 1928, but still retains the original layout on 16 holes, despite renovations in 2009. The course offers a rare blend of natural beauty and history, with deer often seen roaming freely near the fairways.
Website: Royal Copenhagen Golf Club
Address: Dyrehaven 2, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
🇦🇹 Austria: Golf Club Wien (Founded in 1901)
Founded in 1901, Golf Club Wien is Austria’s oldest and most historically significant club. Located in Vienna's Freudenau area, it is uniquely situated inside a horse racing track. The club has maintained a distinctly traditional character and its historic course features narrow fairways, dense roughs, and small greens typical of older layouts. Early players may spot racehorses training or deer and hares crossing the fairways.
Website: Golf Club Wien
Address: Freudenau 65A, 1020 Wien, Austria
🇸🇪 Sweden: Göteborgs Golf Klubb (Founded 1902)
Göteborgs Golf Klubb, established in 1902, is Sweden's oldest golf club. Located in Hovås, near Gothenburg, the course offers a challenging layout amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Its obigins actually dates back to 1891 when an English pastor Arthur Vandeleur Despard in Gothenburg, founded the Gothenburg Golf Club featuring a 900m, six-hole course. It closed in 1894 after Despard returned to England and interest declined. Years later between Askimsviken and Skalldalen and on the meadows below the church the Göteborgs Golf Klubb was founded.
Website: Göteborgs Golf Klubb
Address: Södra Långåsvägen 25, 436 50 Hovås, Sweden
🇮🇹 Italy: Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta (Founded in 1903)
Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta, founded in 1903, is Italy's oldest golf club. In 1898 there are already records of The Rome Golf Club, created by English and American diplomats who were passionate golfers. In 1903 they rented a piece of land more suitable at Acqua Santa. Situated along the historic Via Appia in Rome, the course is uniquely traversed by the ancient Roman aqueduct of Claudio. The club combines rich history with a challenging parkland course, making it a unique golfing experience.
Website: Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta
Address: Via Appia Nuova, 716/A, 00178 Rome, Italy
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Golf Club Karlovy Vary (Founded 1904)
Located in the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary, Golf Club Karlovy Vary was founded in 1904 and is the Czech Republic’s oldest golf course. The course has royal connections, with patrons such as King Edward VII contributing to its popularity. Its location and association with the spa elite made it a fashionable destination in the early 20th century. It remains one of the top courses in the country today.
Website: Golf Club Karlovy Vary
Address: Pražská 219, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
🇩🇪 Germany: Hamburger Golf-Club Falkenstein (Founded in 1906)
Founded in 1906, Hamburger Golf-Club Falkenstein is one of Germany's oldest golf clubs. Originally located in Flottbek, the club moved to its current location in Falkenstein in 1928. The course, designed by Colt, Alison, and Morrison, is renowned for its challenging layout and beautiful forested setting. It's also a quite hilly course.
Website: Hamburger Golf-Club Falkenstein
Address: In de Bargen 59, 22587 Hamburg, Germany
🇷🇴 Romania: Clubul Diplomatic Herăstrău (Founded in 1923)
Established in 1923, Clubul Diplomatic Herăstrău is one of Romania's oldest golf clubs, nestled within Bucharest's King Michael I Park (formerly Herăstrău Park). Originally featuring an 18-hole course designed by G.T. Baker, the club now offers a 6-hole layout complemented by a driving range, providing a serene golfing experience amidst lush greenery.
Website: Clubul Diplomatic Herăstrău
Address: Șoseaua București-Ploiești 2B, Sector 1, 013691 Bucharest, Romania
🇳🇴 Norway: Oslo Golf Club (Founded 1924)
Oslo Golf Club, established in 1924, is Norway's oldest golf club. Situated alongside Lake Bogstad, the course offers a picturesque setting with a challenging layout. The club has always played on the same location, but after many years of wear and tear the course was closed in 2008 for a total reconstruction. The short story: a new course was built on top of the old historic golf course. Steve Forrest (Forrest & Hills) designed the current course.
Website: Oslo Golf Club
Address: Ankerveien 127, 0766 Oslo, Norway
Stay tuned for the next editions of this series! And, if you liked this article, you might want to read the articles shown below as well.