1851: The Prestwick Golf Club is founded.
1856: Pau Golf Club is founded in France, the first in Continental Europe. The Royal Curragh Golf Club is founded at Kildare, the first golf club in Ireland.
A rule change is enacted that, in match play, the ball must be played as it lies or the hole be conceded. It is the last recorded toughening of the rules structure.
1857: The first book on golf instruction "The Golfer's Manual", by "A Keen Hand" (H.B. Farnie), is published.
The Prestwick Club institutes the first Championship Meeting, a foursomes competition at St. Andrews attended by eleven golf clubs. George Glennie and J.C. Stewart win for Blackheath.
1858: The format of the Championship Meeting is changed to individual match play and is won by Robert Chambers of Bruntsfield.
Allan Robertson becomes the first golfer to break 80 at the Old Course, recording a 79.
1859: The first Amateur Championship is won by George Condie of Perth.
Death of Allan Robertson, the first great professional golfer.
1860: The Prestwick Club institutes a Professional Championship played at Prestwick; the first Championship Belt is won by Willie Park.
1861: The Professionals Championship is opened to amateurs, and the British Open is born. The first competition is won by Old Tom Morris.
1867: The Ladies' Golf Club at St. Andrews is founded, the first golf club for women.
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