The Old Course at St Andrews Golf Course

— About

About The Old Course at St Andrews Golf Course

The Old Course at St Andrews is the birthplace of golf — a statement so frequently made it risks cliché, yet remains undeniably true. The links occupies land where the game has been played for more than 500 years, shaped by centuries of natural evolution, prevailing wind, and the footsteps of every great player in the history of the sport. Managed by the St Andrews Links Trust, the Old Course is a public facility: any golfer with a handicap certificate can apply for a ballot to play it, and visitors who do are walking the same turf as Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. The course's design is both ancient and supremely strategic: double greens shared by multiple holes, the vast Valley of Sin fronting the 18th green, the Road Hole (17th) with its railway sleeper bunker and tarmac road as a lateral hazard, and the fearsome Swilcan Burn that guards the 1st and 18th greens. The Open Championship has been held at St Andrews 30 times, more than any other venue, and the atmosphere during Open week — the Swilcan Bridge, the R&A clubhouse, the town spilling onto the links — is entirely without parallel in sport. A ballot place is one of golf's most sought-after tee times.

— History

History of The Old Course at St Andrews

Golf has been played on the links of St Andrews since at least 1552, when Archbishop Hamilton confirmed the townspeople's right to play on the ground that would become the Old Course. Old Tom Morris was the first professional custodian, shaping the routing and hazards during the nineteenth century in ways that are still visible today. The St Andrews Links Trust, established by Act of Parliament in 1974, now manages the six courses on the links and the ballot system that gives visiting golfers the chance to play. The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship 30 times — more than any other venue.

— Signature Holes

Signature Holes at The Old Course at St Andrews

The 17th, the Road Hole, is the most famous par-4 in golf: a blind tee shot over the corner of the Old Course Hotel, a long second to a green backed by the tarmac road and a deep pot bunker, and a putt that runs away from the flag on every speed. The 18th plays back toward the town across the Valley of Sin — a deceptively deep hollow short of the green that has swallowed countless approach shots that seemed adequate. The shared double greens are unique to St Andrews: greens so large that two holes share the same putting surface, with different hole locations on opposite sides.

— Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit The Old Course at St Andrews

May through September offers the best weather on the Fife coast, with June and July providing the longest days and often the warmest conditions. The course is busiest in summer — ballot places are hardest to obtain in July and August. Shoulder season (April and October) brings fewer ballot applicants and clearer skies, though the wind can be fierce. The Open Championship is held at St Andrews approximately every five years.

— Practical Tips

Tips for Playing The Old Course at St Andrews

Ballot places for the Old Course are awarded the night before for the following morning's rounds — apply online through the St Andrews Links website by midnight. A valid handicap certificate (24 for men, 36 for women) is required. Alternative booking methods include requesting specific dates well in advance through the formal reservation system, or staying at partner hotels that guarantee some tee time access. Caddies are available and well worth booking for a first visit.

— Highlights

Why Play The Old Course at St Andrews

• ▸ Golf has been played here since at least 1552 — the oldest golf course in the world
• ▸ Double greens, the Valley of Sin, the Road Hole (17th), and the Swilcan Bridge — unique in all of golf
• ▸ Public ballot access: any golfer with a handicap certificate may apply to play
• ▸ 30 Open Championships held here — more than any other venue in golf's oldest major
• ▸ Swilcan Bridge farewell moment: Jack Nicklaus's 2005 walk and Tiger's 2022 wave are golf's most iconic retirements

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Course at St Andrews

How do I get a tee time at the Old Course at St Andrews?

The primary method is the daily ballot — apply online the evening before for a round the following day. Formal advance reservations and hotel partner packages also provide access, but ballot places are the most democratic route.

Do I need a handicap to play St Andrews Old Course?

Yes — a valid handicap certificate of 24 or better (men) or 36 or better (women) is required. Bring physical proof or access it digitally on arrival.

How much does it cost to play the Old Course?

Green fees range from GBP 225 to 295 depending on the season, with peak rates applying in summer. Winter and shoulder season rates are lower.

Is the Old Course closed on Sundays?

Yes — the Old Course is closed on Sundays throughout the season, a tradition dating back centuries that gives the links a rest day.

Can beginners play the Old Course at St Andrews?

The handicap requirement means complete beginners cannot play. For experienced golfers, the course is genuinely challenging but manageable — the wide fairways are forgiving off the tee, though the greens and hazards are severe.