An Introduction to the Home of Golf
No golf course on Earth carries more history than the Old Course at St Andrews. Located in the coastal town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, the course has been played in some form since the 15th century. It has hosted The Open Championship more than any other venue and is widely regarded as the spiritual home of golf. Playing it is, for many golfers, a pilgrimage.
The Course at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Par | 72 |
| Yardage | ~6,721 yards (championship) |
| Type | Links |
| Access | Ballot system (public) + limited direct booking |
| Best Time to Visit | May–September for most stable weather |
The Layout: What Makes It Unique
The Old Course is a genuine links, meaning it follows the natural contours of the land beside the sea. Fairways are wide — strikingly so — but deceptive. A drive that looks perfectly placed can roll into one of the course's 112 named bunkers, many of which are deep, steep-faced pot bunkers that essentially require a sideways escape.
The course plays out in a long loop and doubles back on itself, meaning most holes share enormous double greens. Only holes 1, 9, 17, and 18 have their own single green. The greens themselves are vast, undulating, and fast — reading them is a skill that takes multiple rounds to begin to understand.
Signature Holes
Hole 17 – The Road Hole (Par 4)
Widely considered one of the hardest par 4s in world golf. The tee shot must carry over the corner of the Old Course Hotel to find the narrow fairway. The approach must thread between the Road Hole bunker — a steep-sided pit capable of swallowing multiple shots — and the road behind the green. A truly demanding hole that rewards precise, conservative thinking.
Hole 18 – Tom Morris (Par 4)
The most iconic finishing hole in golf. A wide, open fairway leads to the famous Swilcan Bridge and into a shared finishing area with the first hole. The Valley of Sin, a depression fronting the green, catches timid approaches. Finishing here, in view of the R&A Clubhouse, is an experience unlike any other in sport.
How to Get a Tee Time
Access to the Old Course is primarily via a daily ballot, which opens the evening before play. Applications are free but spaces are limited — success is genuinely not guaranteed, particularly in peak season. Alternatively, visitors can book directly through the St Andrews Links Trust for specific dates, though these open months in advance and fill quickly.
Joining a golf tour package that includes guaranteed tee times is a reliable (if more expensive) option for those visiting from abroad.
Practical Tips for Your Round
- Hire a caddie: Local caddies understand the subtle lines and bump-and-run routes that no yardage book can capture.
- Play bump-and-run: Links conditions favour the ground game. Aerial approaches often produce unpredictable results on firm, wind-swept turf.
- Respect the bunkers: When in doubt, don't attack from a bad lie in sand. Many a round has been ruined by stubbornness in a pot bunker.
- Arrive early: Walk the course the evening before if possible — the layout can be confusing and orientation helps enormously.
- Check the wind: Links golf is fundamentally about wind management. A club selection that worked yesterday may be completely wrong today.
The Verdict
The Old Course at St Andrews is not the most manicured or visually dramatic course you'll ever play. But it is the most historically significant and strategically fascinating. Every bounce, every wind gust, and every ancient bunker tells a story. If you have the opportunity to play it, take it — and take your time to savour every step of the way.