Golfers have referred to St Andrews as the “Mother of all courses” and the “Birthplace of the game”. It is the strongest links course in the world and a lesson in strong design.
If you want to play the Old Course, look for Authorised Providers that offer winter packages with guaranteed tee times. The Old Course is also available by lottery 48 hours in advance.
The Old Course
For many golfers, a round on The Old Course is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for others it seems to be somewhere beyond their reach. There’s plenty of urban mythology about cost and availability but the truth is that there are ways to make it happen. A good place to start is booking a tour or package with an Authorised Provider such as Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR. They can guarantee you a ballot tee time on The Old Course and other St Andrews Links courses throughout the winter months when there’s less demand.
The Old Course isn’t the only challenge in St Andrews and many golfers would agree that both the New and Jubilee courses offer a tougher test. But the Old does have a lot of history and mystique which is hard to replicate.
Golfer Transfer St Andrews
When playing The Old, a caddie is highly recommended. These guys know the course inside and out, have seen every kind of wind and can assess your game quickly. They’re also very helpful in finding the best lines for every drive, approach, pitch, and putt.
Even though the greens at The Old are renowned for their speed, it’s important to keep a low ball flight because you don’t want to run the risk of going into the famous bunkers. You should also make sure that you warm up on another links course before your round at The Old. This will help you get used to the brisk conditions and the fast running turf.
The New Course
The New Course at St Andrews may not be as well known as the Old Course, but it is a fine golf course and a good option to play when you can’t secure a tee time on the Old. The New Course is a fantastic links course that provides a wonderful experience and it’s just a fraction of the cost of the Old Course.
While there are older courses in the world than the one in St Andrews, there is something special about the connection of town and course that creates a unique feeling in the town that has given golf its legendary status. You can see that feeling in the way that the Old and New courses are constantly compared by players and visitors, but in the end the two courses stand on their own merits.
Golfers who come to the town of St Andrews will usually include a round on the New Course as part of their trip. The New Course also has some facilities to make the rounds even more enjoyable, including the Swilcan Lounge which is great for after-golf drinks and food. The New Course is presented in superb condition year-round and provides a challenging test of golf. The closing holes on the back nine are especially impressive as they are bordered by the street and roof lines of buildings throughout the town of St Andrews.
The Practice Facility
Although there are older courses than St Andrews in the world, it is the Home of Golf because it is where the game grew into its current form. This is why the town and course are so closely connected – the Old Course literally begins and ends in the town. A public road bisects the first fairway and a city skyline presides over many of the holes, with church steeples and roof lines serving as aiming points for players.
St Andrews taxis
As the popularity of the game grew, more and more courses were built. But it wasn’t until 1764 that the Old Course embraced its moniker and became an 18-hole layout. That move set the standard for all future rounds of golf, a format that was subsequently adopted by every major championship.
Many of the great players in golf’s history have hoisted The Claret Jug at St Andrews, including legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. However, another player was the first to win two Open Championships here – Allan Robertson. It is widely regarded that Robertson was the greatest pro golfer of his time and was the architect of the game as we know it today.
If you’re planning a visit, make sure to secure a tee time on the Old Course ahead of time. You can apply for an Old Course ballot 48 hours in advance (except Fridays and before tournament days). Alternatively, book a tour or package through an Authorised Provider who can offer you a guaranteed tee time. The best time to play St Andrews is in the winter when there is less demand for tee times.
The Clubhouse
The clubhouse at St Andrews is a historic masterpiece. It is a veritable museum of golf memorabilia and is home to a priceless collection of early clubs and balls, including the one used by John Reid, the “father of American golf.” A visit here is a journey through history, as Saint Andrew’s has played a leading role in many of the most important firsts in American golf.
The most recent incarnation of the clubhouse was built in 2004 and is a modern facility that is a perfect complement to the ancient architecture of the Old Course. It features a new heritage lounge with historic architectural plans of the clubhouse, a fully stocked members’ shop and a refurbished trophy room displaying the club’s many championship trophies.
St Andrews Taxi
In addition to its impressive facilities, the St Andrews Clubhouse offers its members a host of recreational and social opportunities. It is a place where friendships grow and memories are made. It is an enviable club lifestyle experience that has earned the St Andrews Club high marks for its uncompromising quality and astute stewardship.
The St Andrews Club is one of the most prestigious in the world and membership is by application only. Applications open around the end of August each year and there is usually a two week window in which to submit your application. The cost of joining is PS600 which includes a round on either the Old or Jubilee Course and meals in the Tom Morris Restaurant.