Golf Place,
St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JD
The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Many have contributed to the Old Course layout. Most recently: Daw Anderson (1850s), Old Tom Morris (1860s to 1900) and Dr Alister Mackenzie (1930s).
The above distances are for the Old Course St Andrews, the "home course" of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
56.343581
-2.802363
o.5 ml N of St Andrews
Royal and Ancient (St Andrews)
Somewhat confusingly, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is now a separate and distinct organisation from the R&A. The former is simply a private members golf club, albeit one of the most prestigious in the world .... ask any one of its 2,400 members, who enjoy exclusive use of its iconic clubhouse. In 2004, as the Club celebrated its 250th anniversary, it devolved responsibility for a number of its roles to a newly formed group of companies collectively known as The R&A. These responsibilities included the administration of the Rules of Golf, the running of The Open Championship and other key events, and the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations.
The relationship between The Royal and Ancient GC and the Old Course St Andrews is also frequently misunderstood. The Club does not own the Old course or, indeed, any of the courses in St Andrews. It is one of only four 'Royal' golf clubs in the UK whose members use a public course shared by other golf clubs; the other three are Royal Montrose, Royal Perth and Royal Epping Forest.
It was not until 1853, that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club raised sufficient funds to begin construction of a purpose built clubhouse. The foundation stone was laid by former captain John Whyte-Melville, directly behind the first tee of the Old Course. In June the following year the imposing sandstone building was ready for occupation. The style was simple and uncluttered with tall windows under a low-pitched roof. Members of both the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Union Club shared the premises, prior to the two bodies officially amalgamating under the Royal and Ancient title in 1877. Over the next 70 years a succession of six architects added to the building, taking it upwards and outwards to finally create the structure that is now recognised throughout the golfing world. Although few signs of the original building are visible, it still exists within the framework of today’s clubhouse, cocooned within the layers of subsequent development.
Guests can only enter the Royal and Ancient clubhouse at the invitation of a member. Royal and Ancient's members play on the same public courses as played on by all golfing visitors to St Andrews, i.e. St Andrews Old course, New, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, etc.
Excellent
The Society of St Andrews Golfers was officially formed in 1766. The club had, in effect, existed since 1754, during which year the "noblemen and gentlemen of Fife" started playing an annual competition for a Silver Club. The winner became the "Captain of the Golf" for the year.
In 1836, King William IV consented to become the club's Patron, conferring on the club the style and title of Royal. At this time, he also agreed with the club changing its name to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. William IV had previously granted the use of the Royal prefix to the Perth Golfing Society in 1833 ... the world's first "Royal" golf club. By royal prerogative, 10 Scottish golf clubs can now use the "Royal" title, namely: Aberdeen, Royal & Ancient (St Andrews), Burgess, Dornoch, Duff House, Montrose, Musselburgh, Perth, Tarlair and Troon.
Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7).
After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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