Allan Robertson is widely considered the first golf professional. He was an accomplished player, ball and club maker. Allan was said to be “the best known player of his generation and greatest player of his day”.

The Robertson Family created a reputation for making the best featherie golf balls. Allan and his grand father had a shop that overlooked the 18 hole of the Royal and Ancient’s Old course at St. Andrews. Allan Robertson produced enough golf balls to supply St Andrews and began to export to Britain and the US Colonies. Today a Robertson featherie golf ball with the stamp Allan is a highly sought after collectors item.

Being a highly skilled featherie ball maker Allan did not approve of the new Gutta Percha golf ball. Young Tom Morris was an employee of Allan Robertson until Allan Robertson saw Young Tom playing a Gutta Percha after promising to not play the Gutta Percha ball. After a heated discussion after the round Young Tom resigned.

As a player Allan Robertson was the first golfer on record to break the score of 80 on the Old Course at St Andrews. During many challenge matches we would purposefully extend matches so he could close out the match on the 17th hole of the Old Course. Many golf historians believe that he never lost a match.

Having a smooth swing and an even temperament his game was a perfect match for match play. Allan had the ability to win matches even if did get behind early in the match.

Biography
Name: Allan Robertson
Date of Birth: Sept. 11, 1815
Date of Death: Sept. 1, 1859
Birthplace: St. Andrews, Scotland