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Allan Robertson (1815 - 1859) was a golf player,
considered one of the first professional golfers.
He was born in Saint Andrews, Scotland, the "home
of golf".

In the mid 19th century golf was played by well
off gentlemen as hand-crafted clubs and balls were
expensive. Professionals made a living from
playing for bets, caddying, ball and club making
and tuition. Robertson was the most famous of
these pros. Tradition has it that Robertson
himself was never beaten as an individual when
playing for money. He sometimes played less than
his ability in order to minimise the odds he had
to give to opponents. Robertson is generally
regarded as being the best golfer between 1840 and
1845, even after the arrival of the Park and
Morris families. Indeed he was the first to score
below 80 on the Old Course, St. Andrews. 

Robertson was considered the premier golf
ball|ball and golf club|club maker of the time and
exported all over the world. It was a lucrative
trade with an ever increasing market. The business
was originally set up by his grandfather who
passed it down to his son before Robertson himself
finally inherited it. Today a Robertson ball
carrying his stamp Allan is highly prized by
collectors.

Tom Morris, Sr.|Old Tom Morris worked in
Robertson's shop and it is said that were never
beaten when playing as a pair. Their relationship
soured when the Guttie ball was introduced (see
golf ball#History|golf ball - history). Robertson
attempted to suppress the popularity of the new
and cheaper ball which spelt the end of his own
100 year old business. Morris accepted the march
of progress and felt obliged to leave Robertson
and set up his own workshop. The Guttie ball
revolutionised golf and Roberston's business did
indeed collapse.

Robertson died a few months after an attack of
jaundice. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St
Andrews (R&A) issued a statement on his death
exalting his contribution to golf and organised an
annual collection to provide for his widow.
Robertson's portrait is displayed in the R&A's
gallery.