The Home of Golf – Old Course

Golf has been played at St Andrews Links for 600 years. In 1552 Archbishop Hamilton’s Charter recognised the right of the people of St Andrews to play golf at the Links. St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the “Home of Golf“.

It has the oldest and most famous course in the world, the Old Course. The game has been played since the 15th century and everyone from Open winners to US presidents have played here in its 600-year history. But if you want to join them you’ll need a good handicap and have booked in advance via the Ballot.

Despite its overwhelming popularity, the Old Course still upholds the tradition of a ballot (lottery) drawn two days ahead of play (except for Sundays and tournament days). This enables golfers who are in the area to still have the opportunity to play the Old Course during their visit.

View their live webcam to check out current conditions at the Home of Golf.

If you want to say you’ve played golf in St Andrews, but your swing’s not quite up to scratch, you can play a round at the Himalayas putting green next to the Old Course.

Although you can’t walk on it while people are golfing, there’s no golf on Sundays so feel free to roam wherever you want. Don’t miss the chance to take a photo on the famous Swilken Bridge or in front of the clubhouse too. The Old Course is one of the main attractions in St Andrews and draws celebrities and people from all over the world to it.

There are six other public golf courses in St Andrews

• Balgove – A Perfect Practice Ground for families, children and beginners.
• Eden – Established 1814, Its a course full of character
• Jubilee – Established 1897, Considered by many to be the most challenging course on the famous Links
• Strathtyrum – Established 1993, Designed to complement the tougher championship layouts at the Home of Golf
• St Andrews New – Established 1895, The oldest ‘new’ course in the world
• The Castle Course – Sited on the cliffs a mile to the east of St Andrews

Nearby are the famous Kingsbarns Golf Links situated 7 miles from St Andrews along 1.8 miles of picturesque North Sea coastline, where each hole embraces the sea and the Dumbarnie Links on the north shore of Largo Bay only 11 miles from the Home of Golf itself, St. Andrews.

It’s a rite of passage for golfers around the world to come to Scotland and play in St Andrews.

Over 500 years of golfing history is displayed in the British Golf Museum. The Cafe was named one of Britain’s Top 20 Best Summer Cafes by the Times. Head up to the spectacular rooftop cafe and enjoy unrivalled views of the 1st tee of the famous Old Course.