Blackheath is an ancient, but privately owned, open space, though it has been managed by public bodies since 1871.

Inevitably it has been used for fairs, recreation and sport. Many sporting activities trade on its name: rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics, but golf is the most historically distinguished. Golf has been played on Blackheath from the middle of the 19th century and possibly earlier.

The Blackheath Golf Club (formally Royal after 1901, but the epithet was assumed much earlier) was heard of from 1784.

Blackheath was a suitable site being well drained and populated by expatriate Scots. Like many other organisations the Royal Blackheath Golf Club has become dislocated from its geographical roots as its headquarters and course are now at Eltham.