The Old Course at St. Andrews: An Ancient and Unmatched Golf Experience
The world's oldest course in golf lives up to its lofty expectations.
St. Andrews, Scotland
For most golfers who make the journey to the Old Course at St. Andrews, it will be one of the most anticipated rounds they'll ever play, and with good reason.
Aside from its obvious history, the Old Course is still as relevant as ever, world-renowned for its unique layout and challenges, and often a favorite among PGA pros. It overflows with stories, character, and idiosyncrasies. It's impossible to fully prepare for, and you'll still be thinking about this round weeks after you've finished it.
The course is par 70, with just one par 3 and one par 5 on each side. Players often share greens, crossing paths with other groups throughout the round in ways that would seem chaotic on most courses but somehow work here.
There's almost always an audience somewhere, but especially on the first and last holes, which are bordered by the town and peppered with spectators. First tee jitters will be at their peak. On the 17th, pedestrians walk the famous road and will stop to watch golfers tee off. And on 18, a crowd queues at the Swilcan Bridge waiting for you to play through so they can get their photo opportunities.
The Old Course is surprisingly walkable. The terrain is flat, and the challenge is strategic and psychological more than physical. If you're fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play here, enjoy every step.
Hole 1 ("Burn"): Par 4
You’ll likely be a bundle of nerves teeing off here, if not from your own expectations, then from the spectators watching nearby. The first fairway is wide open, but there’s a fence on your right and out of bounds beyond that, so the safe line is left. You’ll also probably need to lay up to avoid the creek. Depending on the day, you may be hitting a long iron off the tee. The green sits just beyond that creek, leaving any golfer who hits a decent tee shot with a wedge to the green. It’s one of the easier and least surprising holes you’ll play at the Old Course. Get off to a good start here and start the trek away from town.
Hole 14 ("Long"): Par 5
This hole has a split fairway, with an easier tee shot if you stay straight but usually a better scoring opportunity if you can land the left fairway. Whichever fairway you choose, on your approach you’ll want to avoid the Hell Bunker, the infamous trap that deserves its name.
Hole 17 ("Road"): Par 4
This is of the most devilish holes you’ll play. It starts with an intimidating and blind tee short over a portion of the hotel to the right to land a narrow fairway. If you hit it too far right, you'll bring a story home with you about hitting the Old Course Hotel.
The approach doesn’t get any easier, with the green awkwardly positioned at an angle, the road bordering on its right, and a pot bunker on its left. Anything other than an outstanding approach shot will probably leave you hoping for an up and down.
Hole 18 ("Tom Morris"): Par 4
A thrilling finish hole back in town, with the spectators coming back into play. If you can contain your nerves on one of the most famous final holes in golf, this is one of the easier and more scorable Par 4s on The Old Course. Like the first tee shot, you’ll want to aim left to avoid going out of bounds beyond the fence that lines the right side. You’ve got a lot of room to work with, but on your approach you need to avoid the Valley of Sin at the front-left of the green to help keep this in two-putt territory. Enjoy the walk over Swilcan Bridge, and if you’re playing in the afternoon or evening, be sure to wave at the spectators from rooftop of Rusack’s.
Tips For Your Round
