Old Course at St Andrews

WHY IT MATTERS

600 years of golf history

Golf has been played on the Links for roughly six centuries, and the Old Course is regarded as the oldest course in the world. Its wide fairways, shared greens and historic landmarks make it unlike almost any modern course.

COURSE CHARACTER

A links course that rewards creativity

The course is exposed to wind and typically plays firm and fast. Bump-and-run shots, low punches and putting from off the green are valuable, while conservative targets often beat heroic lines.

KEY FEATURES

The holes everyone remembers

The Swilcan Bridge, Hell Bunker, the Road Hole and the shared 7th/11th greens are central to the Old Course experience. The 17th is especially demanding because the hotel, road and deep bunker compress the safe target.

• 1st: wide opening tee shot and the R&A clubhouse
• 5th: long hole with the Spectacles bunkers
• 11th: double-green approach beside Hill Bunker
• 17th: the Road Hole and its famous hotel backdrop
• 18th: the Valley of Sin and Swilcan Bridge

HOW TO PLAY

Plan around several access routes

The main routes are an advance tee time, an official golf package, or the daily ballot. The ballot is competitive and should be treated as a chance rather than a guarantee; keep alternative rounds available.

• Advance reservation: best for certainty
• Official package: convenient, usually higher cost
• Daily ballot: flexible, competitive and confirmation-dependent
• Single golfer: ask about joining an existing group

PLAYING PLAN

How to prepare for your round

Bring a reliable links setup: a lower-flight option, versatile wedges and a putter you trust from long distance. Study the pin position, choose safe sides of greens and allow extra time for wind and firm bounces.

• Use the fairway width—but avoid the main bunkers
• Favor the correct side of shared greens
• Play for ground movement around the green
• Consider a caddie if this is your first links round

BEST COMPANION ROUNDS

Complete the St Andrews experience

The Old Course should not be your only round. The New, Jubilee, Castle and Eden courses give you different tests while keeping the trip based in one walkable golf town.

• New Course: classic, strategic and slightly more intimate
• Jubilee Course: stronger test with demanding wind exposure
• Castle Course: dramatic coastal scenery and elevation changes
• Eden Course: shorter, enjoyable and useful as a warm-up

GETTING THERE

Use Edinburgh as the practical gateway

Most international visitors fly into Edinburgh and continue by rental car, private transfer or taxi. St Andrews is compact, so staying near the town center or Links keeps golf, restaurants and sightseeing convenient.

• Airport: Edinburgh Airport is usually the practical international gateway
• Transfer: private car or rental car is simplest with clubs
• Local movement: much of central St Andrews is walkable
• Golf logistics: confirm club storage and transfer times in advance

SAMPLE ITINERARY

A comfortable six-night golf trip

This itinerary balances the Old Course with strong nearby links and enough recovery time for unpredictable weather.

• Day 1: arrive, settle in, explore the town and Old Course landmarks
• Day 2: New Course
• Day 3: Jubilee Course
• Day 4: Old Course, with ballot or reserved tee time
• Day 5: Kingsbarns or Crail Balcomie
• Day 6: Carnoustie or Castle Course
• Day 7: depart