St Andrews doesn’t need an introduction.
And if you’re reading this, it means you at least know your way around a driving range and want to see if your skills on your home course are up to par with the challenging greens at St Andrews Links.
Here’s your guide to golfing in St Andrews — the birthplace, home, and ultimate epicenter of golf.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Jung. Image Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Your guide to golfing in St Andrews, Scotland
Before you head to the links, here’s what to know about golf in St Andrews, Scotland.
What country is the St Andrews golf course in?
The St Andrews golf course is in Scotland, the birthplace of the game.
Where is the St Andrews golf course?
The St Andrews golf complex resides on the east coast of Scotland in the town of St Andrews. St Andrews is a Par 5 northeast of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh; maybe a Par 3 if you can hit it over the Water of Leith.
How old is the St Andrews golf course?
The Old Course in St Andrews was ratified by an official charter in 1552, though people had been playing golf on the Links in St Andrews since the 1400s.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Jung. Image Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Can anyone play golf in St Andrews?
Yes, the Links at St Andrews is a public golfing complex so you’re welcome to play through these legendary courses. You must have a maximum of a 36 handicap to play the Old Course, though; all male and female golfers must present a handicap certificate.
How many golf courses are there in St Andrews?
The Links in St Andrews has seven public golf courses. There are also three other golf courses within the town of St Andrews: The Torrance Course, The Kittocks Course, and The Duke’s Course.
How much is a round of golf in St Andrews?
Green fees range from as much as £320 to as little as £3, depending on your age and in which season you golf.
- Old Course green fees: £150 - £320
- The Castle Course green fees: £40 - £170
- New Course green fees: £33 - £140
- Jubilee Course green fees: £33 - 140
- Eden Course green fees: £16 - £70
- Strathtyrum Course green fees: £11 - £50
- Balgove Course green fees: £3 - £15
- Caddie fees: £65 plus tip
- Manual trolley: £6
- Battery-operated trolley: £20
- Clubs: £40/day for adults, £20/day for under 15, £5 per round for kids
- Shoes: £12.50
- Buggie (golf cart): £40
- Playing St Andrews: Priceless
Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price. Image Location: Dean Village, Edinburgh, Scotland
Can you do a day trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews?
Yes, you can take a day trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews, play golf, then return to the Scottish capital without worrying about additional overnight accommodation. The real question is: how much golf can you do in a day trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews?
Can you catch a train from Edinburgh to St Andrews?
Yes, and no. A train from Edinburgh won’t get you all the way to St Andrews, but it can get you close. You’ll leave Edinburgh Waverley and take a direct train to Leuchars train station, which takes one hour. Leuchars is a town just north of St Andrews; you can take a bus from Leuchars to St Andrews bus station, which is a six-minute walk from the Old Course.
Call us Train + Busline for your trip to St Andrews from Edinburgh. You can purchase your train ticket to Leuchars and the bus ticket to St Andrews from our booking platform and store them directly on your phone.
Image Credit: Getty Images, JByard. Image Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Visiting for golf at St Andrews, Scotland
What to know in advance for your golf getaway to St Andrews, Scotland.
St Andrews Links Course Breakdown
There are ten golf courses in the town of St Andrews and seven golf courses in the St Andrews Links, which is the largest public golf complex in Europe.
⛳ The Old Course: The most famous golf course in the world.
⛳ The New Course: The classic 18-hole links course designed by Old Tom Morris.
⛳ Jubilee Course: Arguably the most challenging 18-hole course in the Links.
⛳ The Castle Course: Debatably St Andrews’ most awe-inspiring views at this 18-hole course.
⛳ Eden Course: A natural beauty 18-hole course with plenty of character.
⛳ Balgove Course: A 9-hole course great for kids and novice golfers.
⛳ Strathtyrum Course: Accuracy is key on this 18-hole layout.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Empato. Image Location: Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Scotland
Where to stay for golf in St Andrews
Only because they won’t let you play through when the stars are out.
5️⃣⭐ Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
5️⃣⭐ Rusacks St Andrews
4️⃣⭐ Hotel du Vin St Andrews
4️⃣⭐ The Saint Bar & Kitchen
3️⃣⭐ Ardgowan Hotel
3️⃣⭐ The Albany Hotel
Best 19th holes around St Andrews
No matter what your scorecard says, raise a pint to a round well-played.
🍻 St Andrews Links Clubhouse & Tom Morris Bar & Grill
🍸 Hams Hame Pub & Grill
🍹 The Keys Bar
🍺 Dunvegan Bar & Restaurant
Image Credit: Getty Images, ivoisey. Image Location: Market Street, St Andrews, Scotland
What to do in St Andrews after the 19th hole
Whether you’re taking a day off the links or exploring the town while your foursome of friends completes a practice round, here are other sites in St Andrews to check out:
🐬 St Andrews Aquarium
🏰 St Andrews Castle
🖼️ St Andrews Museum
⛪ St Andrews Cathedral
🪻 St Andrews Botanic Garden
🐬 East Sands beach
Where to play golf in Scotland next
Scotland has just shy of 600 golf courses so it’s a curse being so spoiled with choice. We recommend hauling your clubs over to these iconic four:
⛳ Muirfield
Closest station: Longniddry
From Edinburgh Waverley: 20m train to Longniddry, 15m bus to Muirfield GC
⛳ Turnberry
Closest station: Maybole
From Edinburgh Waverley: 3h train to Maybole, 35-minute bus to Turnberry GC
⛳ Gleneagles
Closest station: Gleneagles
From Edinburgh Waverley: 90 minutes by train, 5-minute taxi ride to the course
⛳ Royal Dornoch
Closest station: Tain
From Edinburgh Waverley: 5h by train to Tain, 15-minute bus to Royal Dornoch GC
Image Credit: Getty Images, Mark Liddell. Image Location: St Andrews, Scotland
Consider us your caddie for getting to and from the course.
The Trainline app makes it easy to purchase and store your train tickets. We even put a little scorecard in your account so you can see how much CO2 you’re saving by riding the rails.
And, unlike airplanes, you won’t be charged extra to bring your clubs on board with you — just don’t practice your putting swing in the center aisle.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Mark Liddell. Image Location: St Andrews, Scotland
