# Golfer William Willett and Daylight Saving

> William Willett, a 19th-century British builder, inspired daylight saving time through his golf passion.
- Title: Golfer William Willett and Daylight Saving | Shortify
- Summary: William Willett, a 19th-century British builder, inspired daylight saving time through his golf passion. William Willett, a Surrey builder, proposed daylight…
- Keywords: william willett, daylight saving, golf, chislehurst golf club, surrey, britain, 1907, waste of daylight, Nationalclubgolfer
- Source: Nationalclubgolfer — https://nationalclubgolfer.com/club/features/daylight-saving-golf-story
- Author: Matt Chivers
- Published: 2026-10-28T03:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: william willett, daylight saving, golf, chislehurst golf club, surrey, britain, 1907, waste of daylight, sports
## Daylight Saving Time Origin
William Willett, a Surrey builder, proposed daylight saving time in 1907 to save lighting costs and improve evening recreation.
## Willett's Golf Connection
Willett was a keen golfer with connections to Chislehurst Golf Club, a venue he helped establish in the 1890s.
## 1907 Pamphlet Proposal
In 1907, Willett published a pamphlet titled 'The Waste of Daylight', arguing for daylight saving time to save £2.5 million annually in lighting costs.
## Willett's Proposed System
Willett suggested advancing clocks by 20 minutes on four Sundays in April before reversing in September, rather than the current one-hour shift.
## World War Impact
World War I led to the 1916 Summer Time Act, moving clocks forward by one hour, after Willett died in 1915.
## Willett's Legacy
Willett is buried at St Nicholas Church in Chislehurst with a memorial sundial and blue plaque honoring his contribution.
## Key takeaway

William Willett, a Surrey builder, proposed daylight saving time in 1907 to save lighting costs and improve evening recreation.