Open to the public
St Andrews Links
Fife · United Kingdom
Seven public courses; the Old Course measures 6,670 yards, par 72, and asks for a handicap certificate (maximum 36) on the day.
The courses
| Course | Holes | Par | Length | Designer | Opened | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Old Course | 72 | 6,670 yd | ||||
| The New Course | 1895 | |||||
| The Balgove Course | 1993 | |||||
| The Jubilee Course | 1897 | |||||
| The Eden Course | 1914 | |||||
| The Castle Course | 2008 | |||||
| The Strathtyrum Course | 1993 |
Blank cells: the club does not state it on its website.
Visitors
Only the Old Course requires a handicap certificate, shown to the Old Course Starter on the day; a letter of recommendation is not accepted
Dress code
Attire appropriate to the sport, not scruffy or torn; smart/casual in the clubhouses
Practice and lessons
- Driving range
- Golf lessons
Clubhouse
- Tom Morris Bar & Grill
- The Craigtoun Clubhouse
- The Castle Clubhouse
- The Eden Clubhouse
Good to know
- Old Course established c. 1400
- Ways to book the Old Course: Old Course Ballot; Single Golfers; Winter Package; Authorised Providers
- Low season 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, fairway mats in use on the Old Course
- Old Course players check in at the Old Pavilion beside the first tee
Golfer’s facilities
- PracticeDriving range
- On the courseBuggies, Club hire
- In the clubhouseLockers
From the club’s own website.
Lessons
Golf Academy
- Junior coaching
- Club fitting
Groups and golf days
- Corporate days
The 19th hole
- Tom Morris Bar & Grill · Dining venue at St Andrews Links.
- The Craigtoun Clubhouse · Clubhouse dining at St Andrews Links.
- The Castle Clubhouse · Clubhouse dining at St Andrews Links.
- The Eden Clubhouse · Clubhouse dining at St Andrews Links.
Ways to play
Once in a lifetimeCourses open to the publicCourses with caddiesGolf academiesLessons for beginners and juniorsGolf days and groupsWomen’s and junior golfThe 19th holeWho has played here
- 1927Bobby Jones won the 1927 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1955Peter Thomson won the 1955 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1957Bobby Locke won the 1957 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1960Kel Nagle won the 1960 Open Championship, the centenary edition, at the Old Course.
- 1964Tony Lema won the 1964 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1970Jack Nicklaus won the 1970 Open Championship at the Old Course after an 18-hole playoff.
- 1978Jack Nicklaus won the 1978 Open Championship at the Old Course, his third and final Open.
- 1984Seve Ballesteros won the 1984 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1990Nick Faldo won the 1990 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 1995John Daly won the 1995 Open Championship at the Old Course in a four-hole playoff.
- 2000Tiger Woods won the 2000 Open Championship at the Old Course by eight strokes.
- 2001Paul Lawrie won the 2001 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which ends with a final round at St Andrews.
- 2005Tiger Woods won the 2005 Open Championship at the Old Course, leading from start to finish.
- 2010Louis Oosthuizen won the 2010 Open Championship at the Old Course.
- 2015Zach Johnson won the 2015 Open Championship at the Old Course in a four-hole playoff.
- 2017Tyrrell Hatton won the 2017 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which ends with a final round at St Andrews.
- 2022Cameron Smith won the 2022 Open Championship at the Old Course.
Champions and records at every course →
Sources: official tour, championship and club records
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
- en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php
Championships coming up here
- 15–18 July 2027The 155th OpenMajor (men)St Andrews Links · St Andrews, Fife, ScotlandChampionship week from 11 JulyOfficial page
- 30 September – 3 October 2027Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2027DP World TourSt Andrews Links, Carnoustie Golf Links, Kingsbarns Golf Links · St Andrews / Carnoustie / Kingsbarns, ScotlandOfficial page
How the club plays
- Low season runs 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with fairway mats in use on the Old Course.
- The Old Course can be booked via the ballot, advance tee times, single golfers, a winter package or authorised providers.
- A valid handicap certificate must be shown to the Old Course starter on the day.
- Old Course players check in at the Old Pavilion beside the first tee.
Sources: the club’s own website
When to play
At Leuchars: calmer months are June, July, August (average wind 8.1–8.5 knots). Windier months are January, February, March (10.7–10.8 knots).
The course on film
History and heritage
From the ULTIMATE Edinburgh guide
Read our full write-up, with the history of the club and how to get there.
Read on the Edinburgh guide →Sources: the club’s own website, checked 2026-11-13
Around the course
Hotels nearby, and restaurants and bars from the ULTIMATE Edinburgh guide, by straight-line distance.
Stay
- Old Course HotelHotel · 0.9 km
- Fairmont St AndrewsHotel · 6.3 km
For the non-golfer
While the round goes on: spas, beaches, shops and culture from the ULTIMATE Edinburgh guide, by straight-line distance.
Culture
- St Andrews LinksGolf · on site
- Old Course HotelHotel · 0.9 km
- St Andrews CathedralRuins · 2.2 km
More golf in Scotland
All 10 →63 holes · Visitors welcome
Gleneagles
Perthshire · United KingdomThree 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par-3 course, open all year to hotel guests and visitors, with no handicap certificate asked. Host of the Ryder Cup 2014.18 holes · Visitors on set days
Muirfield
Muirfield · United KingdomHome of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, on its links since 1891. Visitors are welcome on Tuesdays and Thursdays.18 holes · Visitors on set days