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| 18th green, The Old Course |
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| Early morning view from the Old Course Hotel |
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| 4th green, The New Course |
St Andrews Courses:
The Old Course
The oldest and most famous course in the world, golf was first played here 600 years ago. It was then, and still is a public course, one of six public courses in St Andrews . A very special golf course, it also privileged to have a spectacular view looking back over the bay at the historic Old Town of St Andrews.
Over the years, not surprisingly, changes have been made to the Old Course by different golfing sages: Daw Anderson in the 1850s, Old Tom Morris between 1860 and 1900, and Dr Alister Mackenzie in the 1930s. The course is well known for its many special features, the mains ones being its shared fairways and greens and the 112 bunkers. One of the best known bunkers is 'Hell' on the long 14th, and anyone who has watched an Open on television will be able to picture the renowned Road Bunker by the 17th green. The bridge over the Swilcan burn on the 18th is another Old Course feature that is instantly recognisable. If you a get a chance to play the Old, you may love it or hate it, but for its history alone, it can't be missed.
Information:
Green fee - £90.00 High Season (1st April to 31st October). £56.00 Low Season (1st November to 31st March). Mats rates £36.00.
Visitor Policy - Handicap Certificate required. Handicap limit 24 or less (Men) 36 or less (Ladies) Trolleys allowed after 12 noon from May to September.
Address
St.
Andrews
Scotland
KY16 9SF
Telephone - 01334 466666
The New Course
Now over 100 years old, the "New" course was opened in April 1895. The course was built because of the increasing demand for golf at St Andrews, both from locals and visitors, and made accessible by the recently constructed railway. It was designed by Hall Blyth, an Edinburgh civil engineer, and the lay-out supervised by "Old" Tom Morris and his right-hand man David Honeyman.
Using the natural features of the land the result was a classic and extremely challenging links with the traditional "out and back" layout, with the 18th green just to the right of the first tee. Like the Old Course, it also has shared fairways and even a double green at the 3rd and 15th holes.
Although overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, the New Course is a great golf course in its own right and it would be a mistake to underestimate it. Having played both courses frequently during university years at St Andrew I grew to prefer its greater definition and need for accuracy.
Information:
Green fee - Are £40.00 High Season (1st April to 31st October). £30.00 Low Season (1st November to 31st March).
Visitor policy - Welcome handicap limit 24 for men and 36 for ladies. Buggies may be hired at a charge of £12 for those carrying a medical certificate and trolleys are £3 a round.
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| 5th green, The Jubilee Course |
The Jubilee
Created on a narrow strip of land between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee was originally a 12 hole course intended for ladies and beginners. In March 1897 the Council gave the go-ahead to Mr. John Angus Jnr to lay out the course, and have it ready to play in the current season for the sum of £178.3s. 8d! A week later he had 20 men working on site. The course was opened on 22 June, the date of a public holiday to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria 's accession to the throne.
In 1905 the course was extended to 18 holes and in 1938 further improvements were made under the supervision of the 1893 Open Champion, Willie Auchterlonie, who by then was honorary professional to the R&A. Progress was slow, mainly due the war, but the course, now 6,020 yards, was eventually completed in June 1946.
In 1988 the re-design of the Jubilee to championship standard was carried out by the well-known golf designer, Donald Steel, and at the official opening in the following year, Curtis Strange, the US Open champion, was invited to drive a ball from the 1st tee.
The Jubilee today has raised teeing grounds which provide wonderful views of the course and its surroundings, and also exposes golfers to the characteristic testing winds from the bay. At 6,805 yards the Jubilee offers an enjoyable challenge for all golfers.
Information:
Green fee - £35 (1st April to 31st October) £28 (1st November to 31st March)
Visitor policy - always welcome
The Eden
By the year 1913 the pressure for play on the Old, New and Jubilee courses was such that a fourth course was required. Opened in 1914, the Eden course was designed by Harry S. Colt, internationally renowned for his course design skills. Alterations were made in 1989, under the direction of Donald Steel and resulted in a course of character but slightly less demanding than the three courses lying next to the sea. The Eden Tournament, inaugurated in 1919, remains one of the major amateur British golfing events. Every year over 250 golfers play for the Eden trophy in the second week of August.
Information:
Green fee - £25 (1st April to 31st October) and £20 (1st November to 31st March)
Visitor policy - welcome without reservation
The Strathtyrum
In July 1993, the Strathtyrum Course became the first new 18 hole layout in St Andrews for almost 80 years. A Donald Steel design, it offers enjoyable golf, on a shorter golf course. It has only 15 bunkers but a considerable level of skill is necessary to escape not only the bunkers but the cunningly placed mounds and the sloping greens with tricky borrows. The Strathtyrum Course is particularly popular with locals and visitors where length is not the main priority.
Information:
Green fees - £17 (1st April to 31st October) and £15 (1st November to 31st March)
Visitor policy - welcome without reservation
The Balgove
This 1520 yard nine-hole course, especially for children, has bunkers and a double green and offers a real, but not intimidating, golfing experience for those new to the game. The green fee is for 9 or 18 holes. Opened on the 20th of June, 1993 by members of the St Andrews Children's Golf Club, the par is 30, but to children it is a real course with proper tees, greens and two greenside bunkers.
Information:
Green fees - £7 (1st April to 31st October) and £5 (1st November to 31st March)
Visitor policy - welcome without reservation
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Challenging bunkering at The Dukes Course |
The Dukes Course
A Championship standard golf course with a par of 72, and 7171 yards long, Dukes was designed by Peter Thomson, five-times Open Champion. The course is situated two miles inland at Craigtoun Park, and was opened by HRH Prince Andrew in 1995. The Craigtoun estate, with its rich, fertile grassland, mature trees, bracken and natural water features provided the ideal location for a modern course.
Beautifully sculpted holes enhance the natural features of the stunning parkland. The rolling fairways are in excellent condition and are characterised by many small undulations and groups of bunkers. The undulating greens are also excellent, but very challenging and should be treated with respect.
Owned by the St Andrew's Old Course Hotel, Dukes compliments perfectly the famous links courses and offers a great opportunity to play both links and parkland golf during the same stay or even the same day. From its elevated site the course and its luxurious clubhouse both enjoy spectacular views of the town and bay of St Andrews.
Information:
Green fees - 1 Dec - 28 Feb £30.00 - 30 March £35 - April £65 on weekdays and £75 at weekends
Visitor Policy
Visitors welcome. Book in advance
Contact details
Tel 01334 474371
The Dukes Course
Craigtoun Park
St Andrews, Fife
KY16 9SP
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