Explore St Andrews

Golf - the part played by St Andrews.

St Andrews today, is always associated with golf and as being the 'Home of Golf' . The town is very fortunate to host 'The Open Championship' (infact the British Open Championship) every five years, much to the benefit of St Andrews and East Fife economy. There is world wide coverage of the 'The Open Championship' on the Old Course through TV and radio, and the press coverage is phenomenal.

The origins of the game - The golf we play today took its roots during the middle ages here in Scotland and probably evolved from such games as Kolf a Dutch game that was played across country and in town streets.

The Old Course, St Andrews - There is no doubt that St Andrews Old course is attributed with the reason golf is played over 18 holes today.

The Old Course originally consisted of twenty two holes, eleven out and eleven in. In the mid-19th century, the course became very busy, with golfers playing out, meeting golfers playing in at the same hole. To solve this, a second hole was cut on each green.

Responsibility for the management of the Old Course is undertaken by the St Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organisation that owns and runs seven golf courses in and around St Andrews.