The Old Course and the New Course at St Andrews
If the Old Course is golf’s mecca, St Andrews is the town that surrounds it. Every cobbled street and building is steeped in golf history, creating a mystique that’s both daunting and welcoming.
A few tips for your visit to the Home of Golf:
1. The Old Course
No golf course in the world is more iconic than The Old Course at St Andrews. It may not be the oldest, but it’s where the game developed into its current form and melded with the town of St Andrews to become a unique and distinct experience.
The Old Course is open to the public daily, except for Sundays and select tournament days. Tee times are awarded through a ballot process that requires a two-person minimum and must be entered online or in person at one of the clubhouses two days prior to play.St Andrews Airport Transfers
2. The New Course
Although it may be overshadowed by its superstar sibling, the New Course at St Andrews deserves a fair share of the spotlight. It is a great golf course with the same sort of effortless quality as Old Tom Morris’ work.
The New was originally built in the late 1800s to accommodate a growing desire to play golf at St Andrews. The New is a tougher test than the Old with smaller and more defined fairways and many fewer bunkers. It also has a number of shared greens in the classic St Andrews tradition.
3. The Castle Course
The Castle Course opened to incredible hype in 2008 as the newest addition to the St Andrews lineup. Its coastal setting is spectacular and its design is impressive with tremendous shaping on both fairways and greens. The 17th hole is particularly memorable as it plays over a gaping ravine that will swallow anything but a solid strike.
Unlike Kingsbarns down the road, The Castle Course has some significant elevation changes which creates a fun challenge. The greens are extremely undulating as well which will test every shot from the tee and with approach shots.
4. The Strathtyrum Course
Opened in 1993, The Strathtyrum Course is shorter and less testing than the championship courses at St Andrews but don’t be fooled – it’s still a worthy workout for mid to high handicappers. Donald Steel has created an enjoyable layout that complements the more demanding championship layouts on offer at the 'Home of Golf'.
St Andrews Airport Transfer
The 18 hole layout is relatively flat and features a good mix of holes with gorse bushes and fir trees in play. The bunkers are few in number but cunningly placed to place a great emphasis on accurate iron play.
5. The Jubilee Course
Originally opened on Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 as a course for ladies and beginners, the Jubilee underwent a redesign by Donald Steel in 1988 and is reputed to be the toughest of St Andrews championship links. It is often used to test golfers for the St Andrews Links Trophy.
It is laid out on a narrow strip of land wedged between the New course and St Andrews Bay with holes threading their way through low sand dunes. It is a more rugged and exacting layout with elevated tees that offer clear vision of gorse and pot bunkers.
6. The Balgove Course
The Balgove Course is the only 9-hole course at St Andrews and primarily caters to families, children and beginners. It is a fun, par 30 course with bunkers and a double green and consolidates the St Andrews Links reputation as a resort that caters to golfers of all ages and abilities.
With seven courses to choose from at the home of golf, St Andrews offers a tremendous and satisfying links experience for all players. Book your tee time well in advance to ensure you secure your preferred date.
7. The Valley of Sin
Many of The Old Course’s little quirks are attributed to Morris, but none more so than the Valley of Sin on the 18th green. The deep valley that guards the final green of the Grand Old Lady may not seem like much at first glance, but it’s a crucial obstacle when the tournament comes down to the last hole.
In 1995, Constantino Rocca putted through the Valley of Sin on the 18th to force a playoff with John Daly after an incredible comeback. It was one of the most memorable moments in golf history.
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