

St Andrews Old Course

Overview
Know as The Old Course, TOC, Old Course St Andrews, St Andrews Old, St Andrews Old Course, or simply St Andrews. However it is known, it is the greatest golf course on the planet.
St Andrews Old Course is a spiritual pilgrimage for most golfers. Despite St Andrews Old Course being the Home of Golf, it is not the birthplace of golf. It is, however, where the game evolved into what we know it today.
For golfers outside of North America, the Royal & Ancient (R&A) is the governing body that governs golf. The clubhouse is the iconic grey stone building behind the first tee and to the left of the 18th green. The R&A flagpole is a mast salvaged in 1948 from the private steam yacht 'Cutty Sark' that belonged to the Duke of Westminster.
The connections from St Andrews to golf throughout the world are innumerable. For example, many golf courses offer free tees to golfers from the Starter and in the Pro Shop. In the early days, golfers were meant to play their next tee shot from the immediate vicinity of the previous hole. Before wooden tees were invented, golfers used to build tees out of the sand, usually from the hole just played. Due to the holes becoming so deep, The Old Course began providing sandboxes from the 1880s for golfers. Even down to complimentary tees, the links to The Old Course St Andrews are countless.
Golf Course Review
For the golfer with an interest in golf course architecture, there is no place like St Andrews Old Course. Bobby Jones wrote there is more to learn from The Old Course than in playing a hundred ordinary American golf courses. In addition, Old Tom Morris, Herbert Fowler, Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie & C.K. Hutchison have all advised or consulted on The Old Course St Andrews.
On this somewhat innocuous and barren 92 acres lies the inseparable connection between the number eighteen and golf. It is here in the 1850s that the routing was adjusted, and the total came to eighteen. Since then, St Andrews Old Course has set the standard by which the game itself is measured.
St Andrews Old Course First Impressions
From the Starter’s Hut, St Andrews Old Course looks flat. Don’t be fooled - Stan Dundan, an American who played in the 1960 Open, said the topography of the Old Course is as if Marilyn Monroe has the mumps. Remember, most greens with the exception of 1, 9, 17 and 18 are shared. Interestingly, if you add the respective hole numbers which share each green, the total is always 18!
The Only Constant is Change on The Old Course
Whilst the legend is that St Andrews Old Course has never been altered, that is far from the truth. The landscape is constantly evolving organically. Man’s touch also has not been light. For example, tee’s have been added to TOC and in some cases spill over into the adjoining courses. Such has been the effect of modern technology on golf. This represents the R&A’s effort to combat advances and keep TOC relevant as an Open venue. Greens on 4 & 14, 6 & 12, and 17 have all been altered with time. 18 is an Old Tom Morris original design.
Playing around, some bunkers appear to be in odd places - perhaps not even in play. Why do they exist? Some are relics, others are in play when weather conditions shift, and yet others are in play when the course is played in reverse, as it was intended originally. In the early days, the 1st played to the 17th green and then continued around the left loop. Now, except on rare occasions, Old Course St Andrews plays the right loop.
Due to a lack of landmarks and trees aligning yourself for the tee shots is a good test of skill. The line in for many shots is the church steeple. Your caddy will advise accordingly.
St Andrews Old Course & The Open Championship
The Open has been hosted at St Andrews Old Course more than any other. The Open has been contested 29 times and will return for its 30th time for the 150th playing to The Open in 2022.
- 13th Open 1873 Tom Kidd
- 16th Open 1876 Bob Martin
- 19th Open 1879 Jamie Anderson
- 22nd Open 1882 Bob Ferguson
- 25th Open 1885 Bob Martin
- 28th Open 1888 Jack Burns
- 31st Open 1891 Hugh Kirkaldy
- 35th Open 1895 JH Taylor (First Englishman to win The Open at St Andrews)
- 40th Open 1900 JH Taylor (First multiple winner of The Open at St Andrews)
- 45th Open 1905 James Braid
- 50th Open 1910 James Braid (First winner of 5 Opens)
- 56th Open 1921 Jock Hutchison (First American to win The Open)
- 62nd Open 1927 Bobby Jones (First Amateur to win at St Andrews and third to win The Open)
- 68th Open 1933 Denny Shute
- 74th Open 1939 Dick Burton
- 75th Open 1946 Sam Snead
- 84th Open 1955 Peter Thomson
- 86th Open 1957 Bobby Locke
- 89th Open 1960 Kel Nagle
- 93rd Open 1964 Tony Lema
- 99th Open 1970 Jack Nicklaus
- 107th Open 1978 Jack Nicklaus
- 113th Open 1984 Seve Ballesteros
- 119th Open 1990 Nick Faldo
- 124th Open 1995 John Daly
- 129th Open 2000 Tiger Woods
- 134th Open 2005 Tiger Woods
- 139th Open 2010 Louis Oosthuizen
- 144th Open 2015 Zach Johnson
- 150th Open 2022 ?
Golf Courses Next Door
If you were anywhere else, the Eden Course, Jubilee Course, and New Course would be better known as links golf destinations. Despite some less than constructive comments about the St Castle Course has evolved to be one of the must-play new links in Fife, Scotland. If you fail to win the ballot and cannot get a tee time on the St Andrews Old Course, enjoy one of the other courses at St Andrews, The Home of Golf.
St Andrews Old Course Reviews
Clyde Johnson contributed an analysis of the 14th hole on The Old Course.
Before you play, get a copy of Scott MacPherson's St Andrews Old Course.
Enjoy Richard Pennell's accomplished write-up of The Old Course.
Momento, Souvenir, or Golf Gift?
If you've enjoyed the artwork of The Old Course, why not acquire a print for yourself?

Featured Architect: Herbert Fowler
Herbert Fowler was known for establishing natural-looking green sites and working backwards to the tee. Bernard Darwin described Herbert Fowler as “perhaps the most daring and original of all golfing architects..." Topography used to test with his courses following the contours of the land. Bunkers...
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Architects
- Robertson, Allan
- Old Tom Morris
- John Low
- Herbert Fowler
- Alister MacKenzie
- Harry Colt
- Hutchison, Major Cecil Key (CK)
Facilities
Collections
This course features in these collections. Click an icon to view the entire set.

Featured Architect: Herbert Fowler
Herbert Fowler was known for establishing natural-looking green sites and working backwards to the tee. Bernard Darwin described Herbert Fowler as “perhaps the most daring and original of all golfing architects..." Topography used to test with his courses following the contours of the land. Bunkers...
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