The Old Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
The Old Course St Andrews is surely the Mecca of the golfing world. Golf has been played here for over six centuries on a course that wasn’t architect-designed, but rather has evolved over time out of the natural terrain. Starting and finishing in the town, it is renowned for its huge double greens meaning that a golfer may face a 100-yard putt, compact shared fairways, and massive bunkers (of which there are 112). The 17th hole is often voted the toughest par 4 in golf, with the tee shot having to cut over part of the famous hotel, whilst the Road Hole bunker and the road itself await any loose shot into the green. A definite on any visiting golfer’s itinerary, this famous course has hosted the Open Championship on 29 occasions, with the most recent being in 2015; the next is set to be in 2020.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Only after 12.00 noon
- Electric Buggies Available: No
- Practice Facilities: Driving range 1/2 mile from 1st tee. Putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire.
The New Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
Designed by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1895, this is hardly a ‘new’ course! It is, in fact, a classic links course and a first-class golfing challenge. With the traditional out and back layout, the New is characterised by well-designed greenside and fairway bunkers, and tough homeward holes. Although overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour, the New Course is a must play for any golfer visiting the town of St Andrews.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes. Medical certificate required or over 65 years of age. Only 2 buggies available.
- Practice Facilities: Driving range 1 mile from the 1st tee, putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire
Carnoustie Golf Links
St Andrews & Fife
While celebrated as one of the great venues in championship golf, Carnoustie must also be regarded as one of the most demanding. This is a tough golf course that few have tamed and it is often described as Scotland’s ultimate golfing challenge. Carnoustie is truly a great test for the able golfer and it is neither for the novice nor the faint hearted, although everyone who loves and enjoys the game will marvel at its intricacies. It is simply a ‘must’ for the avid player; as Hogan said, ‘No player’s experience can be complete without playing Carnoustie’. Fashioned by Old Tom Morris in 1857, and extended by James Braid in 1926, Carnoustie has played host to several Open Championships.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: 1 Available — Medical certificate required and caddy must drive.
- Practice Facilities: No driving range. Two practice nets and putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire
The Castle Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
Designed by David McLay Kidd and opened to the public in the summer of 2008, the Castle Course is the newest addition to the St Andrews portfolio. Situated on the east side of the town, the course offers spectacular views of the famous old town of St Andrews, St Andrews Bay and over towards Carnoustie. The course takes its name from Kinkell Castle, which, five hundred years ago, stood on a headland two miles southeast of the town centre where the new layout begins. The Castle Course offers golfers an excellent alternative to playing the older, more traditional courses when visiting St Andrews.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (medical certificate required)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire.
Crail Golf Club
St Andrews & Fife
Formed in 1786, the Crail Golfing Society is the 7th oldest Golf Club in the world and consists of two courses, the Balcomie and the Craighead. Situated only 9 miles from St Andrews, these true links style courses are extremely popular with both locals and tourists. The Balcomie was laid out by Tom Morris and opened in 1895. Set on a magnificent coastline this challenging course is highly regarded for its testing holes, standard of greens and breathtaking scenery; watch out for the fifth, described by Sam Torrance as the hardest par four in Scotland. A second course, the Craighead, was designed by Gil Hanse (his first course outside the U.S.) and was opened in 1998, providing a worthy alternative to its famous and historic neighbour.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (only 4 available)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green.
- Dress Code: Smart golfing attire. No denims and shorts must be tailored.
The Duke’s Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
Originally designed by Peter Thomson, five times Open champion, and opened in 1995, this is a classic Scottish heathland course that is the perfect complement to the St Andrews links courses. Overlooking the town and bay of St Andrews the course offers spectacular views of the historic town and Fife coastline. The Duke’s was redeveloped in 2006 by Tim Liddy, who added 5 completely new holes. The course is owned and run by the famous Old Course Hotel, and unlike most courses in St Andrews, carts are available.
- Caddies Available: No
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area & putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire. No caps in the clubhouse.
The Eden Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
Built in 1914, the Eden Course was developed to help with the overwhelming demand for golf in the town of St Andrews, and it is now one of the seven golf courses maintained by the St Andrews Links TruSt Originally designed by Harry S. Colt, several alterations were made by Donald Steele in the late 1980s. Although shorter than its more illustrious neighbours, there are many tricky par fours that require accuracy rather than distance from the tee. The par 3 holes on the Eden Course are among some of the best in St Andrews and although they are not very long, these holes are certain to ruin any scorecard on a windy day.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: No
- Practice Facilities: Driving range and putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire.
Elie Golf Club
St Andrews & Fife
Just over 10 miles South of St Andrews lies Elie Golf Course. This is one of Scotland’s most delightful courses, with panoramic views over the Firth of Forth and a finish akin to St Andrews Old Course as the closing two holes take you back into the middle of the town. The course is steeped in history and dates back to 1589, when a royal charter was passed granting the villagers official permission to play over the links. James Braid, 5-times winner of the Open who was born in nearby Earlsferry, described the 13th hole at Elie as ‘the best hole in golf’. A fine links course, this is worth a visit for golfers staying in and around the St Andrews area.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (Only one available)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range and practice putting green.
- Dress Code: No denim. Knee length socks must be worn with shorts. No mobile phones are permitted. Members Lounge — Jacket & tie
The Jubilee Course, St Andrews
St Andrews & Fife
Originally opened on Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and designed for ladies and children, the Jubilee Course underwent a re-design by Donald Steel in 1988 and is now reputed to be the toughest of the St Andrews championship links. Created on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the New Course, the raised tees provide great views but also expose golfers to prevalent winds, which sweep in from the bay. Any golfer visiting St Andrews should play at least one round of golf on the challenging Jubilee Course.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes. Medical certificate required or over 65 years of age. Only 2 buggies available.
- Practice Facilities: Driving range 1 mile from the 1st tee, putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
St Andrews & Fife
Six miles south of St Andrews lies Kingsbarns, possibly the last true links to be developed in Scotland. In fact, Kingsbarns’ golf origins go back some 200 years when it was home to a nine-hole course and golf club. The new revival is heralded as a truly spectacular and worthy addition to the legendary St Andrews portfolio. Embracing the sea as it does, the layout is superb with each hole offering a great sea view, and seven of them actually playing over or alongside the sea. The course design provides great variety and presents a stiff golfing challenge balanced by generous greens and wide fairways. Kingsbarns blends together all the advantages of a modern course with the traditional features of an old links course.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Only one available. Medical certificate required. Caddy to drive.
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green.
- Dress Code: Smart casual golf wear. No caps in lounge.
Kittocks Course
St Andrews & Fife
Opened in 2002, the Kittocks Course (formerly The Devlin) at Fairmont St Andrews is relatively new to the St Andrews golf portfolio. Set on elevated ground next to the cliff tops, this amazing location gives spectacular views of the town of St Andrews from the eastern side. The Kittocks has been constructed in an American style with man-made lakes, but the layout still honours the traditions of St Andrews with two double greens and numerous pot bunkers.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golfing attire.
Lundin Links Golf Club
St Andrews & Fife
Lundin Links is a very picturesque yet challenging golf course located on the east coast of the Kingdom of Fife, with stunning views out across the Firth of Forth to North Berwick, Gullane, Longniddry and Edinburgh. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1868, the course was extensively redesigned by James Braid in 1909 and is regularly used as an Open Qualifying Venue when the tournament is held at nearby St Andrews. The fine links fairways, excellent greens, open burns and strategic bunkering make this course well worth a visit.
- Caddies Available: No
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (medical certificate required, 2 single seaters available)
- Practice Facilities: Putting Green
- Dress Code: No denims or collarless shirts. No hats or golf shoes in the clubhouse
Panmure (Barry Golf Club)
St Andrews & Fife
A challenging, adventurous course (6,317 yards, par 70) situated among sandhills, Panmure (Barry Golf Club) has been used as a qualifying course for the Open Championship. This course features Ben Hogan's favorite hole, the dog leg 6th, which heralds the toughest stretch, around the turn. Panmure is located in Tayside — close to Carnoustie.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire
Scotscraig Golf Club
St Andrews & Fife
Scotscraig is conveniently located fifteen minutes from the town of St Andrews. A beautifully conditioned course, it is used for qualifying when the ‘Open’ is at the home of golf. Founded in 1817, making it the 13th oldest club in the world, Scotscraig is a heathland type of golf course.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire
The Torrance Course
St Andrews & Fife
The Torrance Course is one of two courses that are part of the Fairmont resort on the outskirts of St Andrews. Originally designed by Sam Torrance, the course has recently been re-designed with 8 new holes and now includes classic Scottish revetted bunkering throughout. This exciting championship course, used for Open Championship qualification, is a great test of golf and has stunning views across the bay to St Andrews and Carnoustie. The Torrance Course has also been host to the Scottish Senior Open Championship.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (limited, medical certificate required & caddy to drive — caddy only fee)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green
- Dress Code: Appropriate golfing attire.