Old Course, St Andrews

This is one Scottish links that needs little in the way of introduction. Probably the best known golf course in the world, the Old Course St Andrews is to many why Scotland is called the "Home of Golf". There are other historic golfing venues in the country, and Scottish golfers widely contend that the Old Course is not the best course in the country, but there are no other courses that are as iconic.

Many golfers feel playing the Old Course is integral to a golfing trip to Scotland. The Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole Bunker, the Valley of Sin at the 18th green and the R&A clubhouse behind the 1st tee are all recognisable worldwide.

Humps and bumps, pot bunkers and huge double green more suited to long bump and run putts than a wedge shot approach are all part of the experience of playing the Old Course. Combine this with the town of St Andrews behind you at the 1st tee and the fact that you are walking in the footsteps of the world's most famous golfers, and it makes for a special golfing experience.

The golf course starts and finishes in the town and as this is not private land you are bound to find curious tourists watching you drive at the 1st or applaud you coming in to finish at the 18th.

It is thought that the game of golf has been played on the links since the 12th century. It was in 1552 that the town's right to play golf on the links was officially established. Originally the course was 11 holes and 11 holes back, starting and finishing by the first tee.

Since 1873 the Old Course has hosted the Open Championship on 30 occasions and since 1990 - until Covid events of 2020 - hosted the event every 5 years.

Find out more about the options for booking golf on the Old Course.

As with all the links courses managed by the St Andrews Links Trust the Old Course is a public golf course, open to all. However that does not mean booking a tee-time is a simple case of phoning and asking – we cover the options for booking golf on the Old Course separately.

We have also put together a blog post covering the key information you need to know for applying for Private Advance tee-times on the Old Course in 2023.

Address:
St Andrews Links Trust
Pilmour House
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9SF
What 3 Words:
///duos.notes.plots
Telephone:
01334 466666
Email:
reservations@standrews.com
Costs (2022):
Weekday round: £270.00
Weekend round: £270.00
Deposit terms: 100%
Trolley hire: £5.00
Club hire: £35.00
Electric trolley hire: £20.00
Buggy hire: £30.00
Caddie hire: £55.00
Restrictions:
Handicap certificate required: Yes
Handicap restriction - men: 36
Handicap restriction - women: 36
Buggy hire:
Yes
Driving range:
Yes
Course rating:
73.1
Slope rating:
132
Buggy restrictions:
Golfers with a permanent disability only may request a buggy. Pull trolleys are only available after noon during the main season.
Airport driving times*

* For guidance only - all timings are traffic dependent.

Options we suggest:

Within 15 minutes drive time
Within 15 minutes drive time
  • Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £30.00
    Holes:
    9
    Length:
    3040 yards
    Par/Rating:
    60 / 57.0
    Slope:
    79
    Type:
    Links
  • Castle Course, St Andrews

    Coastal, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £140.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    6759 yards
    Par/Rating:
    71 / 73.6
    Slope:
    139
    Type:
    Coastal
  • Duke's, St Andrews

    Heathland, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £140.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    7271 yards
    Par/Rating:
    71 / 77.1
    Slope:
    142
    Type:
    Heathland
  • Eden Course, St Andrews

    Links, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £60.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    6250 yards
    Par/Rating:
    70 / 70.6
    Slope:
    125
    Type:
    Links
  • Jubilee Course, St Andrews

    Links, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £120.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    6742 yards
    Par/Rating:
    72 / 72.6
    Slope:
    131
    Type:
    Links
  • Kittocks, Fairmont St Andrews

    Coastal, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £120.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    7192 yards
    Par/Rating:
    71 / 73.0
    Slope:
    132
    Type:
    Coastal
  • New Course, St Andrews

    Links, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £120.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    6625 yards
    Par/Rating:
    71 / 72.8
    Slope:
    127
    Type:
    Links
  • St Michaels

    Parkland, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    Leuchars
    Weekday green fee:
    £29.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    5867 yards
    Par/Rating:
    70 / 68.9
    Slope:
    122
    Type:
    Parkland
  • Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £40.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    5620 yards
    Par/Rating:
    69 / 66.2
    Slope:
    107
    Type:
    Links
  • Torrance, Fairmont St Andrews

    Coastal, 18 holes

    Region:
    East
    Town:
    St Andrews
    Weekday green fee:
    £120.00
    Holes:
    18
    Length:
    7192 yards
    Par/Rating:
    73 / 72.2
    Slope:
    133
    Type:
    Coastal