Golf has been played over the links of St Andrews since the fifteenth century and a pilgrimage to The Home Of Golf should be on the wish list of all players.
Walking over the Swilcan Bridge and playing up to the famous 18th green of the St Andrews Old Course over the Valley of Sin is one of the most memorable experiences in the game and one made by the great champions from Old Tom Morris to Tiger Woods. St Andrews is home to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the guardians of the game in Europe, however the links are owned and run by the St Andrew Links Trust.
Swilcan Bridge, St. Andrews Old Course
The Old Course grabs the headlines but formidable (and historic) challenges are also presented by the St Andrews New and St Andrews Jubilee golf courses - both designed in the nineteenth century and both excellent tests. Golfers can also test their games on the St Andrews Eden or Strathtyrum courses as well as hone their short games at the Balgove.
The latest addition to the courses at the Home Of Golf is the St Andrews Castle Course, opened in 2008 and already the winner of a number of awards, the Castle Course promises to become a worthy heir to the heritage of golf in St Andrews. As well as the courses administered by the Links Trust, St Andrews is home to a number of other top level layouts.
Did You Know? Golf on the Old Course was free for all comers until 1913 with locals playing for free until 1946.
The Fairmont Torrance and Fairmount Kittocks courses and the St Andrews Dukes course offer plenty of variation, whilst just up the road from the Castle Course, Kingsbarns is a truly world class layout that is already rated as one of the the top courses in Europe. Set against the backdrop of the grey medieval town, the dramatic golf courses and unrivalled history of the game that is ever present, St Andrews is truly the Home of Golf and it is no wonder that Tiger Woods declared that "To win at St Andrews is the ultimate".