Best golf courses in and around St Andrews

Links golf does not get much more iconic than St Andrews. Known across the world as the Home of Golf, this historic corner of Fife is surrounded by legendary links, modern coastal masterpieces, championship tests and characterful local favourites. From the Old Course itself to Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and the wider golfing coastline of Fife and Angus, this is one of the finest golf destinations anywhere in the world and widely regarded as premium destinations of Scotland.

We are often asked by golfers: what are the best golf courses in and around St Andrews? To make your search easier, we have put together a round-up of the standout courses to consider for your next golf holiday.

Location: St Andrews, Fife | Course type: Links | Par: 72 | Length: 6,721 yards from the black tees | Established: Over 600 years ago

Why play here? The Old Course at St Andrews Links is the ultimate pilgrimage for golfers. It is the course every serious player dreams of walking, a place where history, strategy and atmosphere come together like nowhere else in the game. Ranked 2nd in the world according to Golf Digest's 2026 top 100 courses, it really is a bucket-list course.

Set in the heart of town, the Old Course is not simply famous because of its age or reputation. It remains a fascinating and endlessly strategic links, with shared fairways, vast double greens, deep bunkers and famous landmarks including the Swilcan Bridge, Hell Bunker and the Road Hole.

The Open confirms St Andrews will host the Championship for the 31st time in 2027, underlining its status as golf’s original stage.

Highlight: The 17th, the Road Hole, is one of the most famous par 4s in golf. From the tee shot over the corner of the hotel to the approach beside the road and wall, it is a hole that tests nerve, imagination and precision.

Key features:

• Classic public links in the Home of Golf
• Huge double greens and iconic bunkering
• Home to the Swilcan Bridge and Road Hole
• A bucket-list experience for golfers worldwide

Bonus fact: The Old Course helped shape the standard 18-hole format used across golf today.

Location: Carnoustie, Angus | Course type: Links | Par: 72 | Opened: 1842 | Design influence: Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris and James Braid

Why play here? Carnoustie is one of the most demanding championship links courses in the world and a must-play for golfers staying in St Andrews. Located around 45 minutes from the Home of Golf, the Championship Course provides a tougher, more exacting contrast to many of the Fife links.

The course is renowned for its exacting closing stretch, the Barry Burn and its ability to expose even the smallest mistake. Carnoustie has hosted eight Open Championships, as well as Women’s Opens and Senior Opens, and is one of the three courses used for the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside the Old Course and Kingsbarns.

Highlight: The final three holes are among the toughest closing stretches in golf. The 18th, with the Barry Burn waiting for anything slightly misplaced, has produced some of the most dramatic moments in Open Championship history.

Key features:

• One of the toughest links tests in Scotland
• Eight-time Open Championship venue
• Famous Barry Burn and demanding finish
• Ideal championship addition to a St Andrews itinerary

Bonus fact: Carnoustie’s Championship Course is often known as “Golf’s Greatest Test,” a phrase used by the venue itself.

Location: Kingsbarns, Fife | Course type: Links | Par: 72 | Length: 7,224 yards | Designer: Kyle Phillips | Opened: 2000

Why play here? Kingsbarns is a modern classic and one of the most spectacular courses near St Andrews. Just a short drive along the coast, it offers a polished, visually stunning links experience with sea views, generous playing corridors and brilliant strategic variety.

Although it opened in 2000, Kingsbarns feels entirely at home on the Fife coastline. The routing makes superb use of the land, with holes moving along, above and towards the North Sea. It is scenic, playable, dramatic and highly memorable.

Kingsbarns has co-hosted the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship since 2001 and hosted the Women’s British Open in 2017

Highlight: The coastal holes provide some of the most beautiful views in Scottish golf, especially where the course drops towards the water and asks golfers to balance risk, reward and the wind.

Key features:

• Modern links designed by Kyle Phillips
• Sea views and dramatic coastal holes
• Regular Alfred Dunhill Links Championship venue
• One of the best luxury golf experiences near St Andrews

Bonus fact: Kingsbarns sits along 1.8 miles of North Sea coastline, around seven miles from St Andrews.

Location: Upper Largo, Fife | Course type: Links | Par: 72 | Length: 7,117 yards | Designer: Clive Clark | Opened: 2020

Why play here? Dumbarnie Links has quickly become one of the most exciting modern golf courses in Scotland. Located on the south coast of Fife, only a short journey from St Andrews, it delivers a bold, contemporary links experience with wide fairways, dramatic movement and outstanding views across the Firth of Forth.

Unlike many traditional out-and-back links, Dumbarnie’s holes move in different directions, meaning the wind changes constantly from hole to hole. This makes the course feel varied, strategic and highly entertaining from start to finish. Dumbarnie describes the course as a genuine 18-hole links founded, developed and designed by Clive Clark.

Highlight: The setting around Largo Bay is a major part of the experience. The course offers sweeping views, changing angles and a modern links challenge that feels very different from the older courses in St Andrews.

Key features:

• Modern links on the Fife coastline
• Designed by Clive Clark
• Views across the Firth of Forth
• Excellent addition to a St Andrews golf trip

Bonus fact: Dumbarnie’s routing is unusual for a links, with no consecutive holes following the same direction, creating constant changes in wind and strategy.

Location: Auchterarder, Perthshire | Course type: Moorland / inland classic | Length: 6,471 yards from white markers | Designer: James Braid | Opened: 1919

Why play here? The King’s Course at Gleneagles offers a different style of Scottish golf within reach of St Andrews. Instead of seaside links, this is classic inland golf across rolling Perthshire terrain, framed by heather, hills and beautiful resort surroundings.

Created by James Braid and opened in 1919, the King’s Course remains one of Scotland’s great inland layouts. It asks for thoughtful placement, controlled approach play and a strong feel for changing elevation. The course has a very different rhythm from the St Andrews links, making it a brilliant contrast in a wider itinerary.

Highlight: The views across the Perthshire landscape give the King’s Course a grand, atmospheric feel. It is scenic, historic and strategically rich without relying purely on length.

Key features:

• Classic James Braid design
• Opened in 1919
• Rolling inland terrain and heather-framed holes
• Superb contrast to Fife’s coastal links

Bonus fact: Gleneagles hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup which saw Team Europe defeat Team USA after Welshmen Jamie Donaldson hit one of the most iconic Ryder Cup shots to win it for the Europeans.

Location: St Andrews, Fife | Course type: Links | Par: 71 | Length: 6,625 yards | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1895

Why play here? Despite the name, the New Course is one of the great historic links in St Andrews. Opened in 1895 and designed by Old Tom Morris, it sits alongside the Old Course and offers a more traditional, compact and local-feeling test.

The New Course is sometimes overlooked by visitors chasing the Old Course, but that is part of its charm. It is a superb links in its own right, with firm turf, subtle greens, clever bunkering and plenty of positional strategy. Many golfers leave St Andrews feeling the New Course was one of the most enjoyable rounds of the trip.

Highlight: Its location beside the Old Course makes the New Course ideal for golfers who want a classic St Andrews links experience without quite the same level of global attention.

Key features:

• Historic Old Tom Morris design
• Opened in 1895
• Adjacent to the Old Course
• A favourite among knowledgeable St Andrews visitors

Bonus fact: The New Course measures 6,625 yards from the black tees and plays to a par of 71

Location: St Andrews, Fife | Course type: Heathland | Par: 71 | Designer: Peter Thomson | Opened: 1995

Why play here? Formerly known as The Duke’s Course, the Craigtoun Course adds a different dimension to golf in St Andrews. Set inland and elevated above the town, it offers tree-lined fairways, heathland character and views back towards St Andrews and the surrounding countryside.

From January 2026, St Andrews Links Trust took over a long-term lease of The Duke’s Course, with the venue renamed The Craigtoun Course. The change added an eighth course to the Home of Golf portfolio and brought the course under the same wider St Andrews Links umbrella as the Old, New, Castle and other public courses.

Highlight: The inland setting makes Craigtoun a valuable contrast to the area’s links courses. It is ideal for golfers who want a break from coastal wind while still staying close to St Andrews.

Key features:

• Formerly The Duke’s Course
• Now part of the St Andrews Links portfolio
• Heathland and parkland feel
• Great inland contrast to the local links

Bonus fact: The course opened in 1995 and was designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson.

Location: Barry, Angus | Course type: Links | Par: 70 | Length: 6,551 yards from the black tees | Founded: 1845

Why play here? Panmure is one of the most rewarding traditional courses near Carnoustie and a superb addition to a St Andrews and Angus itinerary. It blends links and heathland characteristics, with firm turf, heather, pines, dunes, fescue and subtle undulations.

Established in 1845, Panmure is recognised by the club as the 21st oldest golf club in the world. The course has design associations with Old Tom Morris and James Braid and offers a quieter, more understated experience than some of the headline championship venues.

Highlight: The 6th hole, named “Hogan,” is a standout. Ben Hogan practised at Panmure before winning The Open at Carnoustie in 1953, and the hidden pot bunker at the 6th remains known as Hogan’s Bunker.

Key features:

• Historic Angus golf club founded in 1845
• Links and heathland character
• Old Tom Morris and James Braid influence
• Excellent partner course for Carnoustie

Bonus fact: Panmure combines tight fairways, challenging carries and undulating greens, making it much more strategic than its yardage might suggest.

Location: Crail, Fife | Course type: Links | Par: 69 | Length: 5,861 yards | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1895

Why play here? Balcomie Links at Crail is one of the most characterful and enjoyable courses near St Andrews. Located on the eastern edge of Fife, it is shorter than many modern championship layouts but packed with charm, history and coastal drama.

Much of the course as it is played today was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895, with the first nine later extended to 18 holes. Balcomie is full of natural features, quirky holes, sea views, stone walls, hollows and old-fashioned links strategy.

Highlight: The holes along the coastline are pure fun, with carries, angles and views that make Balcomie one of the most memorable rounds in the East Neuk of Fife.

Key features:

• Historic Old Tom Morris links
• Coastal setting at Crail
• Shorter but full of strategy and character
• Excellent choice for a fun St Andrews-area round

Bonus fact: Balcomie has three par 5s, six par 3s and nine par 4s, producing a par of 69.

Location: Monifieth, Angus | Course type: Links | Par: 71 | Length: 6,655 yards

Why play here? The Medal Course at Monifieth is a strong, traditional links that sits perfectly within a St Andrews, Carnoustie and Angus golf itinerary. It offers classic seaside golf with firm fairways, gorse, wind, smart bunkering and a sense of old-school Scottish golf.

Monifieth may not have the same international profile as Carnoustie, but the Medal Course is a serious test and has hosted many professional and amateur events. It is also an R&A approved venue, which speaks to its quality and pedigree.

Highlight: The Medal Course is a great option for golfers who want authentic Angus links golf with strong heritage, excellent value and easy access from both Dundee and Carnoustie.

Key features:

• Traditional Angus links
• R&A approved venue
• Par 71 and 6,655 yards
• Great addition to a Carnoustie day or St Andrews tour

Bonus fact: Monifieth also has the shorter Ashludie Course, making it a useful stop for groups wanting variety or a 36-hole day.

Location: St Andrews, Fife | Course type: Clifftop links | Par: 71 | Length: 6,759 yards | Designer: David McLay Kidd | Opened: 2008

Why play here? The Castle Course brings a more modern, dramatic edge to the St Andrews Links portfolio. Set on cliffs to the east of town, it offers panoramic views back towards St Andrews and across the North Sea.

Designed by David McLay Kidd, the Castle Course is bold, exposed and visually striking. The greens are strongly contoured, the fairways move across rugged ground, and the coastal setting adds a sense of drama throughout the round. It is a course that rewards creativity, patience and a good feel for links-style recovery shots.

Highlight: The cliff-top views are the star attraction. Few courses in the area offer such elevated vistas over St Andrews, the bay and the surrounding coastline.

Key features:

• Modern clifftop links
• Designed by David McLay Kidd
• Opened in 2008
• Spectacular views over St Andrews and the North Sea

Bonus fact: The Castle Course opened in June 2008 as the seventh public course at St Andrews Links.

Best time to visit: April to October is the main golf season, with May to September usually offering the best mix of daylight, course condition and weather. April and October can still be excellent, especially for golfers looking for better value or quieter tee sheets.

Where to stay: St Andrews is the obvious base for the Old Course, New Course, Castle Course, Craigtoun, Kingsbarns, Balcomie and Dumbarnie. For Carnoustie, Panmure and Monifieth, you can either travel from St Andrews or add a night in Dundee, Carnoustie or Angus.

Suggested itinerary: A strong five-round trip could include the Old Course, New Course, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and Carnoustie. A longer trip could add Castle, Balcomie, Panmure, Monifieth Medal, Gleneagles King’s and Craigtoun for a superb mix of history, links golf, modern design and inland variety.

Booking tips: Plan early, especially for the Old Course, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and Carnoustie. Visitor tee times in peak season can be limited, and the Old Course ballot should be factored into your itinerary. Build some flexibility into your schedule so you can make the most of weather, travel time and possible extra rounds.

Q: What is the best golf course in St Andrews? A: The Old Course is the most famous and historically significant course in St Andrews. However, many golfers also rate the New Course, Castle Course and Craigtoun Course highly for variety within the town.

Q: What are the best golf courses near St Andrews? A: Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie, Balcomie Links, Carnoustie, Panmure and Monifieth Medal are all excellent options within reach of St Andrews.

Q: Can I combine St Andrews and Carnoustie in one trip? A: Yes. Carnoustie is a popular addition to St Andrews itineraries and pairs well with Panmure and Monifieth for golfers exploring Angus.

Q: Is Gleneagles close enough to include in a St Andrews golf holiday? A: Yes, Gleneagles can be included as a day trip or as part of a wider Scotland itinerary. The King’s Course offers a very different inland challenge from the coastal links around Fife.

Q: Which courses are best for a first-time St Andrews golf trip? A: For a first visit, the Old Course, New Course, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and Dumbarnie make an outstanding core itinerary. Balcomie, Castle, Panmure, Monifieth Medal, Gleneagles King’s and Craigtoun can then be added depending on time and travel plans.

For more details and answers to your questions visit our St Andrews FAQ page.