St andrews (Old COurse) - 19 POINTS
Golf is like no other sport in the world. Where else can you get to take to the field of dreams in the cradle of the sport (to mix my metaphors)? Playing at St Andrews is like turning out at Wembley, or knocking up on Centre Court - but unlike those experiences it is achievable to every golfer who has the will and money to do so.
I have played the Old Course several times now and it is a magical experience. It is not technically the best golf course in the world but the all round experience cannot be matched.
I've detailed below how to play the course and there are plenty of different options.This is no Augusta or Pine Valley. If you set your mind to it with a little preparation it is pretty easy to get it sorted.
If you do play make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the round to take in the atmosphere and have a few putts on the Himalayas - the nearby putting green with the most amazing humps and hollows.
Don't expect to find a club full of history a la Muirfield or Royal St George's when you check in at the Old Course. The main visitors' clubhouse is a modern affair which is fairly clinical in getting players registered and dispatched to the first tee. The views from the restaurant area are great though and help to build the anticipation.
The starter's hut itself is far more 'authentic' as an experience. This is where you need to show your handicap certificate to get on. Actually, they have only once checked mine. One of the group that day didn't have theirs with them but they got waved on anyway. That's not to say the course isn't well marshalled. Out on the course rangers will be keeping a watchful eye on you and asking you to keep up with the group in front if lagging behind. They have always been a friendly bunch to us but then again have never had to ask us to move on!
Don't feel embarrassed about asking the starter to take a picture of you on the first tee. They are well used to it and I don't think that a selfie on the first tee would quite do it justice! Do take in the atmosphere, it truly is something unique in golf. There will likely be some tourists around watching you, the starter will announce you over the tannoy and then take a deep breath (you, not the starter). It is one of the widest fairways in golf but that doesn't mean the nerves will in any way subside.
I used to play with something of a strong fade and that brought thoughts of the right hand side out of bounds to mind in my first outing. By the time of my next round a few years later I had moved on to a pronounced draw (let's not say more that that) which brought the left hand OOB into play to my frazzled mind - indeed I hit it perliously close to there as a result. It's not the hardest hole though (I got a rare birdie the first time I played it) and to open with such an iconic hole sets you up really nicely for what is to come.
The course is open and very fair. As has been well documented many times, if you have a tendency to the left you will be well served and stay out of most of the trouble. The greens are simply huge - I had an 80 yard putt on one of them. The first time I played here one of my playing partners, who plays off 3, had a 74 with 40 putts (OK, including 2 from just off the green) because he just couldn't miss the massive greens.
This playability helps make it such a fun round for everyone and pace of play has always been pretty good. There's not much point me trying to give you a hole by hole account though as the odds are you will know them already.
When I was a kid I used to go to the Open when it was on the Old Course, and every October the Alfred Dunhill Cup, so had followed many of my heroes around the links. To find myself announced on the first tee, hit a tee shot at 17 and walk over the Swilken Bridge on 18 are all pretty amazing experiences which anyone can get. I urge you to get a tee time!
Ahead of the 144th Open at St Andrews, we count down the most memorable moments witnessed at the Home of Golf.
BOOKING THE COURSE
It will amaze many, but with a bit of planning and a bit of luck playing St Andrews is actually very easy. You just need to be organised. Have a good a look at the website as pretty much all the information is well laid out there.
The easiest way to book is by application. Around the end of August every year the St Andrews Links Trust opens for applications to play the Old Course in the subsequent year. You have a two week window to fill in a form on the website.
If you are looking for a time to book through this method between mid April and Mid October you need to book two courses - £600 all in. That is no great hardship if you are staying in the area as the Jubilee or New course would be well worth playing. Included in this price is also a 3 course meal at the Tom Morris Bar & Grill and complimentary balls.
If you are looking to play in the winter months then you can just call them up and see what tee times they have available once the first wave of applications have been processed.
There are three other main ways to play.
Firstly, you can enter the ballot 48 hours before you want to play and see if you are lucky enough to get a time. There are places available every day, and there must be at least 2 of you per entry. All the info is here.
The second way is you can turn up on the first tee and wait - if you are there early enough in the day you will almost certainly get on. The only problem with that is the queue starts late the night before so be prepared to stay up all night to guarantee a place! If you get there at 2am you are likely to be OK, but that’s not always the case. One for the die hards!
The third way is through one of the Authorised Providers of Old Course Tee Times. Just google those words and you will have a list of results of local accommodations or travel agencies who can get you a guaranteed tee time at the Old Course. The catch - you’ll pay through the nose and will have to commit to hotels, several other rounds and other add-ons. While it’s not been without controversy there is definitely a market who this will appeal to.
The website can be a little tricky to navigate but is very good when it comes to info on how to get on so do have a look and your dreams can come true!
Prices correct as of July 2023.
TOUR TIPS
St Andrews pretty much exists for two things - golf and the university. Accommodation can be pretty expensive though so it is well worth considering staying in university accommodation if you're staying in the summer months. It's cheap, close to the town centre and absolutely fine for a couple of nights. At the other extreme The Old Course Hotel will give you a spectacular view, but at quite a cost. There is plenty in between and Tripadvisor will help you find something right for you.
When it comes to drinking there would be two obvious choices. The Dunvegan Hotel is very close to the 18th green and has a bar full of memorabilia and good drink on tap - there are also rooms available. It would be criminal to finish a round and not end up there for a pint.
Another place to seek out is The Jigger Inn. OK, it's far from an authentic Scottish boozer as it's owned by the Old Course Hotel but just to be able to sit alongside the 17th fairway and watch players come by is a great experience. But as for the pub itself, it's a Scottish pub as the Old Course Hotel think Americans would want it. Have one there and move on into town!
There are plenty of other pubs in St Andrews happy to take your money. I have been to a few but local ex-Student Graylyn Loomis has been to a lot more. Here's a link to his guide - http://www.graylynloomis.com/the-best-pubs-in-st-andrews/. There's lots of great stuff on Graylyn's pages about St Andrews so if you are looking for inside tips its a really good resource - http://www.graylynloomis.com/st-andrews/
In terms of your round itself, don't expect too much myth and mystery in the clubhouse. It's a new build, visitor-centric clubhouse which is a changing room, shop, average bar and average food.
When it comes to other courses you are clearly spoilt for choice in Fife. If I was planning a trip just there and want to go for the ultimate experience I would do the Old and New, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie which is only 40 minutes away. However, if you want to tone it down a bit, but still play some cracking courses, then Dukes, Ladybank, Crail and Lundin all have great reputations.
CONTACT DETAILS
St Andrew Old Course
Pilmour House
St Andrews
Fife
Scotland
KY16 9SF
Tel - +44 (0) 1334 466666
Web - https://standrews.com
