
St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the Home of Golf. It is widely considered one of the finest courses in the world and has been played on since the 15th century. The Old Course at St Andrews, also known as the Grand Old Lady, is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course over common land in St Andrews, held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust. The course has hosted the Open Championship 30 times, most recently in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Year Established | 1552 |
| Number of Golf Courses | 10 in the town of St Andrews, 7 in St Andrews Links |
| Golf Courses | The Old Course, The New Course, The Castle Course, Eden Course, Balgove Course, Strathtyrum Course, Jubilee Course |
| Nearest Airport | Edinburgh and Glasgow |
| Nearest Train Station | Leuchars |
| Nearest Town | Leuchars |
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What You'll Learn

St Andrews Links, Fife, Scotland
St Andrews Links is located in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It is widely regarded as the "Home of Golf", as the game has been played here since the early 15th century.
St Andrews Links features seven public golf courses: the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, Old, and Castle Course. The Old Course, also known as the Grand Old Lady, is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organisation, under an act of Parliament. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse sits adjacent to the first tee.
The Old Course has played a pivotal role in the development of how the game is played today. In 1764, the course had 22 holes, and members would play the same hole going out and in, except for the 11th and 22nd holes. That year, under the authorisation of William St Clair of Roslin, the first four and last four holes were combined into four total holes, creating the standard 18-hole round that is used today.
The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship 30 times since 1873, most recently in 2022. Notable golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Jordan Spieth have competed on this illustrious course. The course is open to the public, although golfers must present a handicap certificate, with a maximum handicap of 36 for men and women.
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The Old Course
Playing at the Old Course is achievable for any golfer with the will and means to do so. The course is open to the public, and tee times can be booked through various methods, including applications, ballots, and authorised providers. The easiest way to book is by application directly through the St Andrews Links Trust website. Winter packages from mid-October to mid-April include a round on the Old Course and two other St Andrews Links golf courses.
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The Royal and Ancient Golf Club
St Andrews, located in Fife, Scotland, is known as the "home of golf" as the sport was first played on the links there in the early 15th century. The Old Course at St Andrews is considered the oldest golf course in the world.
The iconic clubhouse, recognisable to golfers worldwide, is situated behind the first tee of the Old Course. The club does not own any of the St Andrews Links courses, including the Old Course, which are owned by the local authority through the St Andrews Links Trust and are open to the public.
The club grew in importance over the years, and in 1897, it codified the rules of golf. It gradually took control of the running of golf tournaments at other courses. Between 1897 and 2003, it developed three distinct areas of responsibility: administering the Rules of Golf with the USGA, running The Open and other key events, and developing the game in existing and emerging golfing nations.
In 2004, a major reorganisation saw the club transfer its functions to a newly formed group, The R&A, to separate group and club affairs. The R&A is now the governing body for golf everywhere outside of the United States and Mexico. Despite this legal separation, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club continues to contribute to the governance and development roles carried out by The R&A.
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Golf tourism in St Andrews
St Andrews is located in Fife, Scotland, and is known as the "home of golf" as the sport was first played on the links at St Andrews in the early 15th century. The Old Course at St Andrews, also known as the "Grand Old Lady", is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course and is held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust.
The Old Course has been pivotal to the development of how golf is played today. In 1764, the course had 22 holes, and members played the same hole going out and coming in, except for the 11th and 22nd holes. Later that year, the first four and last four holes were combined into four total holes, resulting in the standard 18-hole golf course we know today. The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship 30 times, more than any other course, with the most recent being in 2022. It has also been the site of some of golf's greatest moments, such as Bobby Jones' disqualification in 1921 and his return to win the Championship in 1927.
St Andrews is the perfect setting for a golf vacation, with the town boasting wonderful bars and restaurants, and endless character. It is surrounded by a series of famous and internationally renowned clubs, including Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie Links, and Carnoustie. There are 10 courses in and around the town, with the Old Course being the only one that requires a handicap. Golfers can hire the latest equipment if they are unable to bring their own clubs.
Golf tour operators and local accommodation providers offer golf packages that include guaranteed Old Course tee times, as well as packages to The Open Championship and the bi-annual St Andrews Golf Week. These packages can be customised to include elements such as accommodation, transport, dining, sightseeing, and excursions. Winter packages, from mid-October to mid-April, include a round on the Old Course and two other St Andrews Links golf courses.
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The birthplace of golf
St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the "Home of Golf" and the birthplace of the game. The St Andrews golf complex resides on the east coast of Scotland, about an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. It is a Par 5 northeast of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.
The Old Course at St Andrews, also known as the "Grand Old Lady", is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course over common land in St Andrews, held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust under an act of Parliament. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse sits adjacent to the first tee. The course is considered by many to be the ""home of golf"" because the sport was first played on the links at St Andrews in the early 15th century.
The history of St Andrews Links goes back to 1552 when Archbishop John Hamilton was granted a charter to establish a rabbit warren to the north of the links. The charter also refers to the public ownership of the links and the right of the people of St Andrews to play golf and other games. The right to play golf on the links was subsequently confirmed in local and royal charters.
The Old Course was pivotal to the development of how the game is played today. In 1764, the course had 22 holes and members would play the same hole going out and in, except for the 11th and 22nd holes. Several holes were combined, reducing the number of holes played to 18, creating the standard model for golf courses around the world. The course has hosted The Open Championship, the oldest of golf's major championships, 30 times since 1873.
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Frequently asked questions
St Andrews golf is located in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
You can take a day trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews by taking a train from Edinburgh Waverley to Leuchars train station, which takes about an hour. Then, take a bus from Leuchars to St Andrews bus station, which is a six-minute walk from the Old Course.
St Andrews Links has seven golf courses: the Old Course, the New Course, the Jubilee Course, the Castle Course, the Eden Course, the Balgove Course, and the Strathtyrum Course.










































