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St Andrews Links

Coordinates: 56°21′06″N 2°49′05″W / 56.35167°N 2.81806°W / 56.35167; -2.81806
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St Andrews Links
West Sands Beach running along the coast to the left with the St Andrews Links and the town of St Andrews to the right
Club information
Coordinates56°21′06″N 2°49′05″W / 56.35167°N 2.81806°W / 56.35167; -2.81806
LocationSt Andrews, Fife, Scotland
EstablishedOver 6 centuries
TypePublic
Operated bySt Andrews Links Trust
Events hostedThe Open Championship
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
St Andrews Links Trophy
Old Course
Par72
Length6,721 yards (6,146 m)
Course record61; Ross Fisher (2017) [1]
The Castle Course
Par71
Length6,759 yards (6,180 m)
New Course
Par71
Length6,625 yards (6,058 m)
Jubilee Course
Par72
Length6,742 yards (6,165 m)
Eden Course
Par70
Length6,250 yards (5,720 m)
Strathtyrum Course
Par69
Length5,620 yards (5,140 m)
Balgove Course
Par30
Length1,520 yards (1,390 m)

St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the "Home of Golf.” It has one of the oldest courses in the world, where the game has been played since the 15th century. Today there are seven public golf courses; the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, the Old Course (which is widely considered one of the finest, and certainly the most famous and traditional course in the world), and The Castle Course, sited on the cliffs a mile to the east of St Andrews and designed by the architect David McLay Kidd, which opened in June 2008.[2] The courses of St Andrews Links are owned by the local authorities and operated by St Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization. St Andrews is also home to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the most prestigious golf clubs and until 2004 one of the two rulemaking authorities of golf (in that year, the Royal and Ancient Club passed on its rulemaking authority to an offshoot organisation, The R&A).

In general, St Andrews is a popular hub for golf tourism, as there is a high density of links and heathland courses in the area. In addition to the public courses there are two courses at the privately owned Fairmont Hotel (Torrance and Kittocks) to the south of the town; the Dukes and Drumoig, both inland parkland courses to the west. A few miles further South are the modern links of Kingsbarns and the traditional Balcomie links at Crail. Also nearby are the courses at Elie, Lundin, Leven, Scotscraig and Anstruther. Within 45 minutes drive are Monifieth, Downfield, Carnoustie and Panmure.

History

St Andrews Links Clubhouse which is open to the public and serves the Jubilee, the New, and the Old Course
The St Andrews Links crest on the Old Course starter's hut

The history of St Andrews Links goes back to 1552 when John Hamilton was granted a charter to establish a rabbit warren to the north of the links.[3] The St Andrews Links Charter refers to the public ownership of the links and the right of the people of St Andrews to play golf and other games.[4] The right to play golf on the links were subsequently confirmed in local and royal charters.[4]

The land was acquired by James Cheape, owner of the adjacent Strathtyrum estate, in 1821 and sold by his brother's grandson, also named James Cheape, to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1893.[5][6][7] Control of St Andrews Links was regulated by the St Andrews Links Act of 1894 and St Andrews Links Order Confirmation Act in 1974 which resulted in the creation of the St Andrews Links Trust.[8]

Public courses

Balgove Course

The Balgove Course, named after the farm on which it was built,[9] is a 1,520 yard, par 30, nine-hole course. It was originally opened in 1972 and remodeled in 1993.[10]

The Balgove Course[11]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 30 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 30 60
White M: 57.0 / 79
W: 57.6 / 80 		220 219 104 194 161 298 103 116 105 1520 220 219 104 194 161 298 103 116 105 1520 3040

The Castle Course

The Castle Course opened in June 2008, becoming the seventh public course at St Andrews. The course is set on a rugged-cliff top with extensive views over St Andrews.[12] The course is a par 71 and measures 6,759 yards from the back tees.[13]

The Castle Course[14]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par 4 4 3 5 5 4 4 3 4 36 3 4 4 3 4 5 4 3 5 35 71
Black M: 73.6 / 139 346 404 202 540 536 421 456 141 381 3427 167 402 454 179 400 585 406 184 555 3332 6759
Blue M: 71.7 / 137 337 394 179 518 504 399 429 129 351 3240 154 385 415 154 376 555 390 174 533 3136 6376
Green M: 67.3 / 126
W: 73.0 / 131 		300 344 145 476 446 355 341 122 314 2843 130 289 340 119 312 509 346 142 430 2617 5460

Eden Course

The Eden Course opened in 1914 after demand on the existing courses grew. It was designed by Harry Colt, and alterations in 1989 by Donald Steel maintain Colt's standards.[15] It was named after the Eden estuary by which it resides, as the profits from mussels collected there once made up an important part of the St Andrews economy.[9]

The Eden Course[16]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par Men/Women 4 4/5 4/5 4 3 4 4 3 5 35/37 3 4 4 4/5 4 3 5 4 4 35/36 70/73
Black M: 70.6 / 125
W: 76.0 / 129 		326 449 417 273 144 407 346 178 505 3045 196 375 341 422 350 170 568 432 351 3205 6250
Blue M: 68.9 / 121
W: 73.9 / 125 		301 438 402 251 125 376 307 155 484 2839 187 364 326 404 334 151 523 407 334 3030 5869
Green M: 67.9 / 119
W: 72.1 / 122 		270 438 402 240 119 371 291 139 466 2736 148 327 283 404 316 108 433 378 317 2714 5450

Jubilee Course

The Jubilee Course is the third championship golf course at the Home of Golf. It was named after Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897.[17]

Originally intended for Victorian dressed ladies, and other golf beginners, it has evolved into one of the hardest courses at St Andrews Links. The course is commonly used to test junior and amateur golfers for the British Mid-Amateur Golf Championship, as well as the St Andrews Links Trophy.[18]

Initially a 12-hole course,[19] it was expanded to 18 holes in 1905. The course has seen considerable developments under the management of Willie Auchterlonie, Donald Steel, David Wilson and Graeme Taylor. It now plays at around 6,745 yards, and is host to the St Andrews Links Trophy. The Jubilee is one of several courses in Scotland that are under threat from erosion.[20]

The Jubilee Course[21]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par Men/Women 4 4 5 4 3 5 4 4 3 36 4 5 5 3 4/5 4 4/5 3 4 36/38 72/74
Black M: 72.6 / 131 367 360 546 371 162 498 373 369 192 3238 411 497 538 188 438 356 428 211 437 3504 6742
Blue M: 71.2 / 127 337 352 524 349 141 480 341 344 182 3050 403 488 516 176 423 346 418 199 405 3374 6424
Green M: 69.2 / 123
W: 74.6 / 128 		318 271 506 332 132 422 329 326 139 2775 387 470 479 147 415 341 409 180 372 3200 5975

Strathtyrum Course

The Strathtyrum Course, opened in July 1993, became the first new 18 hole layout at St Andrews in nearly 80 years.[22] It was built on land that was previously part of the Strathtyrum estate and sold to the St Andrews Links Trust by Mrs Gladys Cheape in 1986.[5][23]

The Strathtyrum Course[24]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par Men/Women 4 4 3 4 5/4 3 4 3 4 34/33 4 5 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 35 69/68
Black M: 66.2 / 107
W: 71.7 / 116 		332 350 154 298 497 125 331 183 366 2636 338 512 389 168 350 300 137 376 414 2984 5620
Blue M: 63.4 / 101
W: 68.2 / 108 		327 319 149 256 451 120 290 160 340 2412 292 442 312 143 312 265 120 321 385 2592 5004
Green M: 62.0 / 99
W: 66.8 / 105 		315 312 140 248 384 110 284 154 334 2281 288 401 308 133 264 257 114 314 345 2424 4705

Old Course

Main article: Old Course at St Andrews

The Old Course, believed to be the oldest golf course in the world, dates back more than 600 years.[25]

Old Course[26]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par Men/Women 4 4/5 4 4/5 5 4 4 3 4 36/38 4 3 4 4/5 5 4 4 4/5 4 36/38 72/76
SI Men/Women 10/12 6/14 16/8 8/6 2 12/10 4 14/18 18/16 15/13 7/17 3 11 1 9/5 13/9 5/7 17/15
Black M: 73.1 / 132 376 411 370 419 514 374 359 166 347 3336 340 174 316 418 530 414 381 455 357 3385 6721
Blue M: 71.4 / 129 355 395 337 411 514 360 349 154 289 3164 311 164 304 388 523 391 345 436 361 3223 6387
Green M: 69.9 / 125
W: 75.5 / 138 		339 375 321 401 454 325 335 145 261 2956 296 150 304 377 487 369 325 426 342 3076 6032

New Course

The New Course, located adjacent to the Old Course, was paid for and commissioned by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club who asked Old Tom Morris to be designer. The New Course opened for play in 1895.[27]

The New Course[28]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Par Men/Women 4 4 5 4 3 4/5 4 5 3 36/37 4/5 4 5 3 4 4 4/5 3 4/5 35/38 71/75
Black M: 72.8 / 127 336 367 511 369 180 445 356 481 225 3270 464 368 518 157 386 394 431 229 408 3355 6625
Blue M: 71.6 / 125 299 367 511 351 167 433 336 472 225 3161 457 331 493 147 370 379 416 211 397 3201 6362
Green M: 69.9 / 121
W: 75.4 / 128 		282 356 500 351 158 401 320 464 204 3036 427 308 447 133 363 312 388 192 386 2956 5992

See also

References

  1. ^ Herrington, Ryan. "Ross Fisher breaks the Old Course scoring record ... in disappointing fashion - Golf Digest". Golf Digest. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  2. ^ "St Andrews Links Trust - Golf". Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  3. ^ "Royal and Ancient Golf Club House, The Scores, Golf Place". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b "1574 St Andrews - The Student Golfer". Golfiana Caledonia. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b Hagen, John Peter (2011). Play Away Please: The Tale of the Sale of Golf's Greatest Icon – The St Andrews Old Course Starter's Box. Random House. ISBN 9781907195754. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  6. ^ Malcolm, David (2011). Tom Morris of St Andrews the Colossus of Golf 1821-1908. Edinburgh: Birlinn. ISBN 9780857901071. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  7. ^ Slovick, Lyle (September 2012). "The St Andrews 'Rabbit Wars' of 1801–1821" (PDF). Through the Green. British Golf Collectors Society. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  8. ^ Peper, George (2008). Two Years in St. Andrews: At Home on the 18th Hole. Simon and Schuster. pp. 170–171. ISBN 9781416534310. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  9. ^ a b "St Andrews Links Trust - Golf". Archived from the original on 8 September 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
  10. ^ "The Balgove Course". St Andrews Links. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  11. ^ "The Balgove Course Scorecard" (PDF).
  12. ^ "The Castle Course: the Seventh Course at the Home of Golf". St Andrews Links. 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  13. ^ Ian Wood (1 June 2008). "Castle course Poses Sternest of Tests". The Scotsman. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  14. ^ "The Castle Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ "The Eden Course". St Andrews Links. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  16. ^ "The Eden Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Jubilee Course at St Andrews" (web). 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  18. ^ "Jubilee Course at St Andrews" (web). 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2008.
  19. ^ Charles Hillinger (6 December 1987). "Where the Games Began". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  20. ^ Ellen Hale (17 July 2001). "Erosion Threatens Legendary British Golf Courses". USA Today. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  21. ^ "The Jubilee Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  22. ^ "The Strathtyrum Course". St Andrews Links. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  23. ^ Glen, Duncan (1998). Illustrious Fife: Literary, Historical & Architectural Pathways & Walks. Kirkcaldy, Scotland: Akros. p. 14. ISBN 9780861420872. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  24. ^ "The Strathtyrum Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  25. ^ "The Old Course". St Andrews Links. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  26. ^ "The Old Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  27. ^ "The Old Course". St Andrews Links. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  28. ^ "The New Course scorecard". Retrieved 2 October 2021.
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