The Home of Golf.
The Home of Golf is a short blog, discovering the Scottish town of St Andrews.
What you can do, see & eat whilst visiting the Home of Golf, so-called as it is said to be where golf was invented.
Let’s start by stating the obvious, you can’t visit St Andrews and ignore the Golf. Even if you don’t play it is still awesome to see.
The town has a total of 9 Golf courses, 7 of which belong to the St Andrews Links and 2 that are run by Fairmont St Andrews.
The 7 St Andrews Links courses are:
Old Course – The most famous Links course in the entire world. A Par 72 and measures 6721 yards long.
Castle Course – A beautiful Links course with a Par of 71 and a length of 6759 yards.
New Course – Built-in 1895 by Tom Morris and has a Par of 71 and a length of 6625 yards.
Jubilee Course – A challenge for most golfers. A Par 72 and a length of 6742 yards.
Eden Course – A forgiving course with a Par of 70 and a length of 6250 yards.
Strathtyrum Course – A short course with difficult undulations around the greens. A Par 69 and a length of 5620.
Balgove Course – A beginners 9 hole course with a Par of 30 and a length of 1520 yards.
The other 2 courses at Fairmont St Andrews are:
Torrance Course – A great test of Golf with wonderful views. A Par 72 and a length of 7230 yards.
Kittocks Course – Another great track with fantastic coastal scenery. A Par 72 and a length of 7192 yards.
Visit The St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club better known as “The Himalayas”. This private club was founded in 1867 and has both a 9 hole course & an 18 hole course.
Other Golf Attractions:
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. This iconic building, built-in 1854, is only open to the public on 30th November, St Andrews day.
St Andrews is also the home of the British Golf Museum. It holds an amazing collection of over 16,000 items and costs only a small fee to enter.
The town also has its fair share of Golf Shops. Some of the shops can be found in the clubhouses. The oldest Golf shop in the world is at the side of the 18th fairway.
The grave of Old Tom Morris & Tom Morris can be found in the Cathedral grounds, North of the town.
Keep your eyes open for the Blue Plaques that can be seen scattered around the town. Full of information about famous people who have lived and worked there, including Old Tom Morris.
When visiting St Andrews for the first time, take a photo on the famous Swilken Bridge. The bridge between the 18th Tee and the 18th Fairway of the Old Course. (See title image)
Non-Golf Attractions:
The Botanical Gardens are well worth visiting especially the Butterfly House. A wonderful experience for all of the family.
The University of St Andrews is one of the worlds most famous places to study and it is also where Kate Middleton & Prince William first met.
There is an excellent Aquarium to visit because it is full of amazing animals to discover.
Enjoy a brisk walk along the West Sands, made famous by the film “Chariots of Fire”. It is approx. 2 miles long and is a favourite place to hang around for the locals and students.
East Sands is a favourite of the watersport fans. You can watch the sailing and windsurfing due to the high waves.
The old Cathedral is a great place to visit. Built-in 1158 it is now a ruin, but climb St Rules Tower for a great view of the town.
If all else fails, there are lots of shops to hit, as a little retail therapy never harmed anyone.
Where to Eat & Drink:
Balgove Larder & Steak Barn – A Farm Shop, Butcher, Cafe, Flower Shed & Steak Barn all rolled into one. This is my favourite place to enjoy a good meat dish.
Dolls House – A great place to dine in the heart of the town. Great for vegetarians & vegans.
The Räv – Another top restaurant with great Swedish Meat Balls. Great seasonal menu that changes all the time.
Haar – If you enjoy fine dining and the taste of the sea, then this is for you. Amazing food that blows the mind.
The Seafood Ristorante – The perfect seafood menu that is as fresh as it gets. One of the best seafood restaurants in Scotland.
The Jigger Inn – If you are in the mood for a real Scottish pub, full of old Golf memorabilia, then look no further than this place. Small pub food menu.
Do you agree with my choices? Would you add anything to the lists?
Any comments can be left below or by filling out my contact form.
To read further golf related blog posts, click here.