St Andrews Links Golf Course

St Andrews Links, famously known as the Home of Golf, proudly stands on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. Located within a half an hour drive from Dundee and less than two hours away from Edinburgh and Glasgow, it is the definition of a beautiful, historic seaside destination.

St Andrews Links provides you with seven challenging courses to choose from Old Course, The Castle Course, New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course and Balgove Course. Golf has been played in St Andrews Links since 1400 AD, and fans of the sport are well aware that the courses are surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, offering picturesque views.

After 162 years and 149 Opens, the home of golf hosted the 150th Open, which will take place at the Old Course, also regarded as the Old Lady or the Grand Old Lady.

The Old Lady is considered the oldest golf course globally, offering a stunning natural setting and a fantastic 600-year history. It’s supposed to have stood the test of time and continues to challenge golfers worldwide.

So, whether you’re visiting St Andrews for the public course or to take in the peaceful seaside town, you’re sure to have a memorable time on the golf course.

Travel FAQs  St Andrews Links News Register Your Interest

Travelling to St Andrews Links

Please use the map provided for further information.

How to travel to St Andrews Links by car?

From Edinburgh, take A1 and B901 to Ferry Rd./Iverleitgh Gardens/A902. Then, take A90, M90 and A92 to A914 in Fife, continuing until you reach the B939 to City Rd/A915 in St Andrews. To get to the venue, take the first exit off the roundabout onto City Rd/A915. Please note that this journey will be approximately an hour and a half long.

If coming from Glasgow, take Port Dundas Rd and Dobbie’s Loan/A804 to M8. Then take M80, M876 and A876 to A977 in Clackmannanshire until you reach M90 in Perth and Kinross. Head towards A91 to Links Cres/Pilmour Links/A917 in St Andrews. This route to St Andrews Links will be an hour and forty minutes drive.

How to travel to St Andrews Links by train?

We recommend guests use the Leuchars railway station in St Andrews as it is located six miles from the town, including 24-hour parking with taxis if required.

If you’re visiting St Andrews Links by train, we recommend taking the Edinburgh to Dundee or Edinburgh to Aberdeen lines to Leuchars. The Edinburgh to Aberdeen line connects with the London North Eastern Railway (LNER), allowing guests from London to travel to Leuchars with a more direct route.

How to travel to St Andrews Links by bus?

St Andrews offers reliable bus service across Scotland. Stagecoach in Fife provides several routes around the town via the 99 services while also allowing you to visit the nearby towns and villages. This route runs every 15 minutes and takes around 15 minutes to arrive at the venue.

The X58, X59 and X60 Stagecoach services will take around two hours for guests travelling from Edinburgh.

St Andrews Links FAQs

On the Old Course, guests should dress in slacks or shorts (4 inches above the knee), collared shirts our turtlenecks. Tucked-in shirts is compulsory. We suggest guests to dress neatly and appropriately and plan for varied weather.

Guests must bring their handicap certificate to the first tee and present it to the Starter. The maximum handicap is 35 for men and women on the Old Course.

Golfers with a condition of permanent handicap can request a buggy.

St Andrews provides a wide range of equipment from clubs to shoes as Callaway’s official partner. The venue’s policy is for guests to request the equipment no less than 24 hours before their tee time.

More about St Andrews Links

St Andrews Links History

St Andrews Links is widely known as the “home of golf” and has been a golf venue since the early 15th century. In 1123, King David I of Scotland claimed that the area was common land belonging to the residents of St Andrews as golfers used to play in the area during the 1400s. Although Kings James II of Scotland banned golf during the 15th century, King James IV removed the ban after becoming a golfer himself in 1502. Archbishop John Hamilton granted the right to golf on St Andrews in 1552.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was initially established in 1754 by 22 noblemen, landlords, and academics as the Society of St Andrews Golfers. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was the first governing body for golf but passed on the responsibility to its offshoot organisation – the Royal and Ancients or R&A. The Royal and Ancient added the New Course to St Andrews in 1895. Due to the changes, the Town Council developed the Jubilee Course in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the Eden Course in 1914. David McLay Kidd designed the Castle Course in 2007 and opened it to the public in 2008.

In 1873, St Andrews held one of the first major professional golf events for the first time – the Open Championship. The notorious bunkers, including the Old Course’s “Hell Bunker” on 14 and the Road Hole on 17, presents distinct obstacles at St Andrews Links, which has hosted the Open more than any golf course.

Local Area

Craigtoun Country Park

Craigtoun Park is a 47-acre park located two miles outside St Andrews Links. The park is open 24 hours a day and is a fun day out for the whole family. The Rio Grande Railway, Crazy Golf, Putting, and Puffin’ Billy, the park’s road train, are all available during the season. Weather permitting, there are also rowing boats and pedalos, bouncy castles, and pedal vehicles for the little ones.

British Golf Museum

The British Golf Museum is a five-star museum located in the heart of golf’s birthplace. The reception, shop, entry galleries, and our beautiful 80-seat café on the roof welcome visitors. The early history and interactive galleries have been updated to bring the game’s essence to life for visitors.
This is a must-see attraction if you’re visiting St Andrews or Scotland.

Golf Academy

St Andrews Links Golf Academy embodies the spirit of tradition at the Home of Golf, offering world-class instruction for golfers of all ages and abilities. Golfers can be taught by the PGA Qualified St Andrews Links Golf Academy instructors, who deliver a wide range of coaching skills to improve performances.

More Events at St Andrews Links

When visiting St Andrews, take a tour to explore the world’s famous golf course with an expert guide. Guests will be able to explore the 1st, 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course, where you can experience more than 600 years of golf on St Andrews Links.

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