Scotland Once Banned Golf…! for the Sake of War!
In 1457, King James II of Scotland officially banned the game of golf—not because it was dangerous or harmful, but because it was too distracting.
The reason? Men were spending too much time playing golf and neglecting their archery training, which was essential for national defense. At the time, Scotland faced constant threats from England and Europe, and mastery of the longbow was considered a vital military skill.
To enforce discipline, Parliament issued an act prohibiting both football and golf, urging all able-bodied men to practice archery instead. Interestingly, the ban was repeated multiple times over the next century, showing just how popular—and persistent—golf had become!
So next time you tee off, just remember: your favorite weekend hobby was once seen as a national security risk.
