Allan Robertson

Allan Robertson (1815–1859) is widely recognized as the first great professional golfer and among the earliest golf course architects in history. Born and raised in St Andrews, Scotland, Robertson inherited the family business of making feathery golf balls and became the world’s leading manufacturer of golf clubs and balls. A peerless golfer of his era, Robertson was unmatched in high-stakes matches and had an undefeated partnership with his apprentice, Tom Morris, who would later become a legendary figure in his own right. Robertson’s contributions to golf extended from equipment innovation to course architecture. He supervised key improvements at the St Andrews Old Course, including widening fairways and creating the iconic double greens, and he designed the original ten-hole layout at Carnoustie in 1842. He is credited as the first to hold the unofficial title of golf course designer and greenkeeper. Robertson’s influence helped set the standards for modern professional golf and course design, shaping the game for generations.