St Andrews, Scotland

UK & Ireland

15 Mar

Written By Simon Campbell

Hell, Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole: to play The Old Course, St Andrews is a rite of passage for every golfer.

Watson v Seve; Faldo v Norman; Daly v Rocca; and Tiger Woods at his absolute pomp, just standing at the first tee overlooking that famously vast opening fairway takes your breath away. As the starter signals for you to begin your journey, so many moments from golf history rush through the mind and, with six centuries of golfing history, there’s plenty to choose from.

Once you do hit that, thankfully wide, first fairway, you then have the course to sharpen the focus. Aside from the whistling winds from the North Sea, and even the rain that’s compulsory to have a truly authentic experience, there’s also the double-greens; the ball-hungry bunkers, including the infamous 300 sq ft of Hell on the 14th; and the 17th ‘road hole’, one of the toughest in golf. But at least, once you’re done, you get to pose on Swilcan Bridge Nicklaus-style as you begin the home strait on the 18th.

It’s fair to say, even if you finish with a scorecard to forget, the golfing memory of playing the Old Course at St Andrews is one that will last forever.

*Please note: St Andrews experience’s typically require planning one year in advance due to demand.