Old Tom Morris

The Grandfather of Golf.

When we talk about the legends of golf, few names carry as much weight as Old Tom Morris. Born in 1821 in St Andrews, Scotland, he was not just a golfer—he was a course designer, greenkeeper, clubmaker, and mentor to generations of players. His influence on the game is still felt today.

Morris was an exceptional player, winning four Open Championships (1861, 1862, 1864, 1867), and setting a record as the oldest winner at 46—a feat that still stands. But his impact extended far beyond his playing career. As the greenkeeper at St Andrews, he revolutionized golf course maintenance, introducing top-dressing greens with sand, widening fairways, and improving drainage. His work made courses more playable and enjoyable, laying the foundation for modern golf course management.

Beyond St Andrews, Old Tom was a prolific course architect, designing or improving over 60 courses, including classics like Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Carnoustie, and Prestwick. His design philosophy—natural, strategic, and harmonizing with the landscape—set the blueprint for generations of golf course architects.

Perhaps his greatest legacy, though, was his son, Young Tom Morris, a golfing prodigy who won four consecutive Open Championships before his tragic early death. The father-son duo defined early competitive golf, and their contributions remain legendary.

Old Tom Morris passed away in 1908 at the age of 87, but his mark on golf is eternal. Every time we tee up on a classic links course or watch The Open at St Andrews, we owe a nod to the man who helped shape the game as we know it today.

Want to walk in Old Tom's footsteps? Visit St Andrews, the "Home of Golf," where his legacy still lives on.