Scotland is known as the cradle of modern golf

An announcement of St Leonards Golf Club in St. Andrews | Silvia Barcia

Golf is considered one of the best adapted sports to the climate and terrain in Scotland. According to the BBC, Scotland is known as the modern birthplace of the sport because “it was in Leith [...] the first time the rules of golf were written down." There are currently around 550 golf courses like St. Andrews Links, where the game was first played. There are also tournaments, such as The ISPS Hands Women's Scottish Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship or The Open Championship, which was held at the Royal Troon and has arrived to reach £303.3 million in profits

Although there are many professional sportsmen and women, there is also an important group of young students who combine their studies with golf training. Carolina, an Erasmus student from the University of Cantabria, is currently studying for a year at the University of Stirling, where she is a member of the golf society. “You can sign up for the social or competitive side," the student explains the options available when signing up for a sport at this university, “the competitive side does train at the gym at around 5 in the morning and then compete almost every weekend because they have a sort of inter-university league." Carolina also mentions that they compete against different universities, such as the University of Glasgow or the University of Edinburgh. The Spanish student recommends joining a sport or a society of any kind because it is the easiest way to socialise with people, “everyone will try to include you and make you feel chosen."

Carolina preparing her equipment to play golf | Silvia Barcia

The University of Stirling has a wide range of sports, as it is recognised as a Centre of Sporting Excellence, and works with different organisations to develop athletes. For example, swimming is very important to the academy, as several Olympians have come out of there and train at the facilities of the centre. There is also a gymnasium in the middle of the campus where you don't have to be a member of any society or institution to join, with new and well-maintained equipment and a variety of classes, like cycling or pilates, with accredited instructors.

Carolina playing golf at the University of Stirling | Silvia Barcia