Golf in St Andrews, Scotland

St Andrews is the spiritual home of golf in the UK, situated on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. There are seven golf courses in the town and in this guide, we’ve drawn together an introduction for all of you planning a golfing holiday in St Andrews.

Most of the seven public golf courses are on the outskirts of St Andrews. It’s possible to visit all seven in a week if you are an avid golfer. Improve your handicap at Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, and Old Course; each of which is on St Andrews Links. Also add a round at the Castle Course, a mile to the east of the town. Some of the most challenging courses in the world can be found in St Andrews, and you can follow in the footsteps of the most famous golfers of all time, the history is so rich here. In between games, you can spend a day at the R&A World Golf Museum which is located in the centre of St Andrews. For more ideas, visit our guide to the best golf courses in the UK. 

If you want to get to know St Andrews as well as a local, read one of our handy guides to the town, including places to eat, and things to do. We also have a great range of St Andrews accommodation including cottages, apartments and lodges. To find your perfect place to stay in St Andrews, click on the button below.

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Old Course | 7305 yards – Par 72 

The famous Old Course is widely considered one of the finest courses in the world.  With historic landmarks such as the Swilcan Bridge and a notorious blind-tee shot on the 17^th hole. Balls need to be thwacked across the corner of the Old Course Hotel, and that’s before you consider a difficult bunker. The final hole is home to the Valley of Sin, which is an intimidating eight-foot depression. All of these challenges amount to a great day out for experienced golfers.

As mentioned, this is the only golf course in St Andrews where you need to show your handicap certificate. Book ahead, as the Old Course is the most popular of the town’s golf courses at peak times. 

Golf lessons can be booked at the Old Course too.

New Course | 6517 yards – Par 71

The New Course is actually quite old. It was built in 1895 as the second course in St Andrews by Keeper of the Green, Tom Morris. It’s home to rolling fairways and holes to give most players a decent challenge. Situated next door to the Old Course, the views across the town are spectacular. And whilst the New Course doesn’t have the heritage of its neighbour, it’s a great place to get good links experience if your handicap isn’t good enough yet to get you playing next door.

The New Course has a straightforward layout with fewer deep follow or run-off areas than the Old Course; however, there are some challenges offered at the 9^th hole which is a 225-yard par 3 that plays against the prevailing winds. However, this golf course is a good place for a relaxing game to ease you into your week. Visit the New Course website to see the course layout. 

Balgove Course | 1492 yards – Par 30

Balgove is the only nine-hole course in St Andrews and is a good place for those new to golf. It is popular with families, children, and beginners. If you are a seasoned player, then Balgove works to refine your short game too. It’s a very accessible course with greens and holes 100 yards long.

Whilst there may not be any challenging holes, it’s a well-maintained course designed primarily for those who are getting serious about their game, and/or are looking for lessons. According to regulars, the turf is top notch and it’s nigh on impossible to lose a ball. Visit the Balgove Course website to see the course layout. 

Eden Course | 6140 yards – Par 70

Built in 1914, Eden Course is seen by many as designer Harry S Colt’s masterpiece. This 18-hole course is full of character with lots of natural boundaries and a bit more shelter from the sea winds. The course is broken down hole-by-hole on the Eden Course website, so you have a good chance of knowing what to expect when the conditions are right. 

The beginning of the course is about 0.5 miles from the centre of St Andrews, and it offers some challenges, but nothing quite as daunting as those found at the Old Course. Eden is the choice for local golfers, and it is where their tournaments take place, and their trophies are kept.  

Jubilee Course | 6614 yards – Par 72

Thought to be the most challenging of St Andrews courses on the Links, Jubilee was the third course to be built after the Old and New Courses. Jubilee Course was initially intended as a course for women and new players, but its enviable location next to the sea saw its layout converted to that of a championship style in 1988. You can see a hole-by-hole breakdown of the course on the Jubilee website. 

Thought to be overlooked by visitors to the area in favour of the New, Old and Balgove Courses, Jubilee is said to be a true test for seasoned golfers. It offers an array of opportunities for creative approach shots with fairways that inspire a precise game. All-in-all, you are sure to have a memorable game at Jubilee.

Strathtyrum Course | 5628 yards – Par 69

Strathtyrum Course was built in the early 1990s, and it is known for its tricky bunkers and large slopes and burrows. Like Eden, Strathtyrum is popular with St Andrews residents who enjoy a relatively short and quirky round. You can see a hole-by-hole breakdown of the course on the Strathtryum website.

For visitors to the area, Strathtyrum’s a great introduction to someone who has played links golf before, or for a warm-up before tackling the more difficult Eden, Jubilee, and New and Old courses. It's far less busy than the other courses mentioned and isn’t suitable for very serious golfers.

Castle Course | 6759 yards – par 71

Castle Course is the latest addition to St Andrews Links; first opened in 2008, this takes the total to seven. Located above the beaches with cliff-top views of the sea and St Andrews, the Castle Course is a beauty for visitors. You can see a hole-by-hole breakdown of the course on the Castle Course website. 

Locals say this is a course that will unsettle most players on the first visit, but once you’ve done one round, it gets easier and more interesting. So, if you fancy a challenge and have time for a different kind of course to the other more established ones in St Andrews, this may be for you.

The R&A World Golf Museum

With St Andrews being the home of golf, the presence of one of the world's very best museums devoted to the sport won't surprise you. It has galleries full of important historic items such as the very first golf clubs, proof of the game's medieval origins, eccentric clothing, and interactive displays including a putting green. Explore 400 years of golf history at this astonishing collection, which is a must for anyone who has a passing interest in the sport. There is also a programme of touring exhibitions and live events, as well as a cafe and a gift shop at the R&A World Golf Museum. 

For more ideas of things to do on your holiday in St Andrews besides playing golf, visit our guide.

Stay at one of our self-catering cottages in St Andrews

We hope this guide to St Andrews has provided some helpful insights and enabled you to start planning your golfing holiday. Quite a few of our cottages are located a short drive away from some of St Andrews finest golf courses, we can provide you with a relaxing base to return to after days on the green. Book your next golf break in St Andrews today!

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