How Can I Play St Andrews?

For many golf fans, there are a handful of courses high on bucket lists to play. For some, that could be the breathtaking, flower-laden beauty of Augusta National, while for others, it may be the spectacular links play of Pebble Beach with its famously tiny greens.

For many more, though, the Home of Golf itself, St Andrews, is clear number one thanks to the long and storied history of The Old Course and the many features that set it apart from anywhere else. If you want to marvel at architectural brilliance, it’s in the classical stylings of the R&A Clubhouse. If you want one of the most iconic landmarks in golf, you can admire it with the Swilcan Bridge. If you want to be enveloped by centuries of history, you can walk it on every step of the world-famous rolling fairways.

Of course, the holes are among the most challenging in the world, too, in particular the 17th, which features not just a blind tee shot that needs to be hit over the corner of the Old Course Hotel, but also a truly intimidating bunker. In fact, that bunker is just one of many throughout The Old Course – 112, to be precise, and they all have names, as do the holes they’re positioned among. Then there’s the final hole, which seems relatively straightforward – until you encounter the eight-foot deep depression, the Valley of Sin, standing between your ball and the green. 

St Andrews doesn’t start and end with The Old Course, though. There are six other courses, from the beginner-friendly Balgove Course to the strikingly manicured outlier, the cliff-top located Castle Course. There’s also The New Course, The Jubilee Course, The Eden Course and The Strathtyrum Course, each offering something a little different, and catering to any skill level.

With so much history, you’d think playing the Old Course, at least, would be next to impossible, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. Brilliantly, each course at St Andrews is open to any member of the public, with one caveat – a handicap certificate is required to play The…