St Andrews Links, Fife Golf Courses

Eden Course

The Eden golf course was designed by Harry Colt in 1914, and his style is prominent throughout the layout. The undulating greens, deep bunkering and fairway hazards mean that although this is a golf course you are more likely to score better in, tactics are needed to tackle each hole. The trickiest of all is the par 4 17th, which follows the route of the old railway line and leaves little room for mistakes on the green, with plenty of bunkers and out of bounds areas close by.

Jubilee Course

This golf course was named after Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, and originally had only 12 holes - it has since been renovated into the championship standard golf course it is today. This is considered to be one of the toughest golf courses at St Andrews Links: the wafer thin fairways and large greens provide a very tough challenge, which explains why it is frequent host to many major Scottish golf tournaments. The raised tees allows golfers to enjoy breathtaking views of St Andrews Bay, making the experience all that more enjoyable. It does however pose a threat to your tee shot due to more exposure to prevailing winds.

New Course

This has come to be known as the ‘local’s favourite’ due to the tighter layout, and some have argued it to be better than the famous Old Course! This shows that there is something special about the New Course at St Andrews Links. The fairways undulate less, but still provide a challenge to golfers with the contour of the hills – the most memorable hole is the par 4 10th, nestled in between 2 hills and runs through a gorge. The tricky greens are typical of a links course and add to the challenge. Old Tom Morris laid out this golf course in 1895 and is still considered one of the best in the UK; it just goes to show that his work is timeless and definitely worth visiting.

Old Course

This golf course is very special, being where golf was first played over 600 years ago. Favoured by many golfing legends, this course is a great test of ability and experience. A classic layout of a links course, there are tricky greens and the fairways are huge, some even stretching to an acre. The 17th Road hole is probably one of the most famous in the whole world. This golf course is also the only to host the Open 28 times, showing just how exceptional it really is.

Strathtyrum

Named after the estate the land was bought from, the Strathtyrum Course at St Andrews Links compliments well with the other tougher golf courses. Measuring at 5620 yards, it is relatively short compared to its sisters but provides a pleasant round for any golfer, particularly for mid to high handicappers. With only 15 bunkers and a flatter terrain, there is a more parkland feel to the layout.

Balgove Course

The Balgove Course is ideal for beginners and junior golfers as a 9 hole, to get a feel for what kinds of tests faced on a full length golf course. Allowing golfers to be eased in, the fairways are relatively open with few hazards and shallow bunkers. The gentle undulations on the greens allow good practise for putting and their overall short game. This golf course is ideal for families to play together on a golf break.

Castle Course

The Castle Course is the seventh and the newest at St Andrews Links, being open since 2008: this being the first golf course to be added to St Andrews Links in over 100 years. This golf course has five tees on every hole, and provides a new exciting and challenge for golfers. You are sure to enjoy a round on this golf course, with some spectacular views as you progress to higher ground and back down again, with the closing 3 holes along the Scottish coastline. The most memorable hole is the 17th, teeing off along the cliffs with the added challenge of the prevailing wind, which could make or break your round.