Far & Sure: Scenes From Leith Links, Bruntsfield And Edinburgh

There is something about wandering around land where they played golf a few hundred years ago that humbles you and maybe even alters your perspective on this wacky game.

My East Lothian pilgrimage story for the July Golf Digest explains the absolute necessity for those making a golf pilgrimage to visit the ghosts at Leith Links (still appreciated by the Leith Rules Society) and 67 Canongate (Kilderkin Pub) to see the home of John Patersone and the Far & Sure plaque. And then there's the Bruntsfield Links area where the oldest golf clubhouse operates as a public tavern (The Golf Tavern), remains a super place to grab a pint or bite, and the links is a wildly fun 36-hole pitch and putt today.

The history of Far And Sure, courtesy of Alex Miceli's little known Far & Sure blog:

In 1681, James, Duke of York, who would later become James II, played an integral role in the first international match. As legend has it, the Duke was an avid golfer and would often be seen on Leith Links in Edinburgh. Apparently, two English nobleman, while attending the Scottish Court, insisted that the game was of English descent, creating a dispute with the Duke. Defending the game as Scottish in origin, the Duke accepted the challenge to settle the matter on the links. A foursome was arranged, but not before the Duke conducted a through search for a suitable partner. The Duke relined on townspeople, who all agreed that the finest golfer was, ironically a common shoemaker named John Patersone.

With a grand sum of money at stake, the modest cobbler and the future king partnered to defend the honor of their national game. The two won the match handily and , for his efforts, Patersone was granted half of the sizable purse. With the earning, he immediately purchased a home at 77 Caonogate, where over the front door was placed the Patersone coat of arms along with the appropriate motto, "Far and Sure."

Last week I visited these places again while touring the extraordinary city of Edinburgh. I was educated about them by golf architect Scott Macpherson, who is lucky enough to live there. And while it's important to go back to the places the game was first played, I also think they offer something much deeper in the way of perspective about how long people have been struggling at this maddening game. Just picturing the ghosts of 200 years ago trying to figure out their backswing position or a better way of playing golf and knowing that we continue to carry to the torch today, can be an important and dare I say, spiritual experience.

Some images from 2012 and 2013 of the sights mentioned. 2012 would be the green grass year and '13 the browned out look and superior playing condition.