St. Andrews
The Home of Golf. It’s a big statement, and there’s only one golf course in the world that holds that honor: The Old Course at St. Andrews. It’s more than a round of golf here, it’s a religious experience.
As you congregate on the small putting green that sits adjacent to the first tee, the anticipation begins to build. The opening tee shot is unique in the fact that the 1st and 18th holes share the same massive fairway, and as you prepare to hit your first shot the starter approaches you and hits you with an incredible anecdote.
He says, “Think of any golfer in the world that you’ve ever looked up to and admired, and that person has stood on this tee where you stand today.”
And just like that, the moment sets in, and you’re overwhelmed by a sense of place like none other I’ve ever felt.
One thing that may surprise you about this golf course is that it is quite playable if the wind isn’t out of control. If you listen to your caddie and use your yardage book appropriately, the fast and firm conditions can provide you with plenty of room to avoid trouble, and the greens are quite large so if you have the flat stick working, you can definitely put up a decent score. The best advice I received from my caddie during the round is when in doubt, miss it left. You’ll be amazed by how much room there is left on most of the holes here, so definitely keep that in mind when you play here.
With that said, here’s a look at some of the key moments that stand out as you make your way around The Old Course at St. Andrews.
Key holes
No. 1: As we alluded to earlier, this opening shot will give you all the feels as you get ready to pull the trigger on beginning one of the most memorable rounds of your life. The good news here is that the 1st and 18th holes share an absolutely massive fairway, so as long as you listen to your caddie and you hit a club that will keep you short of the burn that runs across both of these fairways. For your approach, you’ll find a large green and overall this sets the tone for the first few holes that are very playable and can get your round off to the right start.
No. 14: This long par-5 starts off with a daunting tee shot that must avoid The Beardies, a series of pot bunkers that reside on the left side of the fairway in your landing zone. Your second shot is where things really kick up a notch as the massive and deep Hell Bunker awaits you and many golfers will opt to aim left towards the 5th hole to avoid this torturous, sandy obstacle. Should you be able to escape these hazards, your left with an approach to an elevated green with severe undulations short so be sure to be precise with your shot in here.
No. 17: The Road Hole. Arguably, the most famous and recognized hole in the game of golf, and man, does it pack a punch! As we alluded to earlier, there is plenty of room left here so if hitting your ball over the preferred line of the corner of The Old Course Hotel then you can bail out that way, but you’ll leave yourself a much more difficult shot in. Even from the fairway here, the approach shot is about as daunting as any you’ll find in the game of golf. There’s a reason why the legendary bunker in the short middle here has ruined many so many players’ hopes at winning the Open Championship when the event is hosted here, and the wide narrow green is far from receptive to your approach shots in. Lurking behind the green is the famous road and wall where it is nearly impossible to get it up and down from back there. The play here is typically to try and find the front right corner of the green and hopefully walk off with a two-putt par.
Pro tip: Fun fact about the Old Course Hotel is that it’s owned by Kohler, the same company that owns Destination Kohler which features the legendary Whistling Straits’ Straits Course.
No. 18: You’ve arrived. You’re now on the opposite fairway from your tee shot on the first hole where once again you have ample room left as the extra wide fairway’s only trouble lurks if you block it way right and find the road and some of the game’s most famous hotels. As you cross Swilcan Bridge and no doubt take the photo that will likely be proudly posted in your home for the rest of your days, you’re greeted by what looks to be a benign approach shot to a massive green. But not so fast my friend as you’ll need to ensure you avoid The Valley of Sin, a massive false front on the front left side of the green that has been known to swallow up a ball or two. As you finish your round, don’t be surprised to see people watching and cheering or taunting you from the back of the green or a nearby rooftop bar so be sure to finish in style.
How to play The Old Course at St. Andrews
There are three main ways to get onto the Old Course at St. Andrews, and it’ll be up to you and your crew to determine what best fits your needs from an experiential and budgeting standpoint.
- Guaranteed tee times: You’ve waited your whole life to make it to The Old Course at St. Andrews, so we tend to recommend going this route. It will be a bit more expensive for you and your group to get guaranteed tee times, but if you are going to make the trip over here then we recommend you don’t tempt fate and you should ensure you’ll be able to have this unforgettable experience. There are several golf tour operators that can help you with acquiring these tee times, and one that we’ve worked with and can recommend with our highest level of support is Lyons Links. The team here is incredibly knowledgeable and they can assist you with all the details of your trip including other tee times, lodging, transportation, sightseeing, and any other needs you may have.
- Tee time lottery: There are two different lottery systems in place, one that is about a year out where you can select several preferred days for certain size groups to try and lock in a tee time, and then there is the 48-hour lottery when you’re already in town. This is certainly the more affordable option if you can pull one of these off, but the chances are smaller so getting a guaranteed time is the preferred route of many players. Even so, Lyons Links can help you navigate this process.
- Day of: If you really want to roll the dice, especially if you’re a single, you can show up and get in line overnight at the first tee to see if there ends up being any gaps on the tee sheet where you can sneak out and play. It’s not the recommended approach, but if you’re desperate it could be worth a shot!
Pack appropriately to enjoy the Home of Golf
Weather is an important factor to consider when packing for a trip across the pond to St. Andrews, and there are a few must-have items when you are packing for a trip to play The Old Course. These include:
- Comfortable shoes that are broken in: Footwear is one of the most important pieces of golf equipment to consider when you are packing for a golf trip. And yes, we did say equipment as the technology that has been added to this category over the years has greatly enhanced your ability to maintain a stable connection with the ground to perform your best. For a day on The Old Course, FootJoy provides a multitude of options depending on your needs and two lineups of shoes that we recommend are the Premiere Series and the HyperFlex lineup. We like the Premiere as it’s a classic take on golf shoes that utilizes modern technology to get you both style and performance, and the HyperFlex is an extremely comfortable shoe with great support that makes for a comfortable walk on these hallowed grounds. Both shoes also come with a two-year waterproof warranty.
- A trusted rain suit and gloves: This is arguably the most important item that you’ll pack for your trip to St. Andrews, and if you’re lucky you’ll never even have to use it. But there would be absolutely nothing worse than finally getting to The Home of Golf and not being prepared if the weather turns wet. Fortunately, the rain gear category has continued to thrive and FootJoy has a variety of rain pants and jackets that can help your game thrive even in the toughest conditions. We recommend taking a look at the options in the HydroSeries of rain jackets such as the HydroTour Rain Jacket and HydroTour Rain Pants. Also, be sure to check out the RainGrip gloves as these modern marvels may be the best thing that ever happened to playing golf in the rain. They get tackier as they get wet, and utilizing these during rainy days has completely transformed my game in the rain.
- Layering is key: During a round of golf at The Old Course, you’re likely to encounter various types of weather as the weather can change in an instant due to the time of day, wind, and potentially rain. Some great options for you here are the ThermoSeries Base Layer for cooler days and the ThermoSeries Fleece Back Vest. The sweater and vest can be easily added or removed during your round, and it gives you the flexibility to adjust to the conditions while still playing your best.
