The Old Course, St Andrews
The Old Course, St Andrews is the Oldest and Probably most famous golf course in the World. The essential qualities of the Old Course at St Andrews are much the same today as they were when golf was first played on this hallowed ground six centuries ago.
Until 1764 St Andrews had 22 holes, or strictly speaking 11 holes which were played out to the estuary of the River Eden and back again into the city. Homeward players had the right of way, but after holing out they had to tee the ball within one club length of the hole for their next shot!
Later that year, the first four holes were combined to create 2 holes, thus reducing the number of holes to 9 and the standard round of 18 holes became accepted as the global game. It was not until 1856-57 that separate holes were cut for those playing the outward and inward holes, but soon afterwards the practice of teeing the ball on the green was abolished and separate teeing areas were used, getting golfers off the greens more quickly and improving their quality.
As the game of golf became more popular, the greens on the Old Course were enlarged in 1832 in order to cater for incoming golfers playing two different holes, this basically created 18 separate holes and fairways. Once a separate first green has been created in 1870, the Old Course St Andrews was permanently adopted for major events.
Though adjusted by Tom Morris, the Old Course is essentially natural, constant use and natural erosion over hundreds of years forged a widening path through the dunes, heather and whin bushes. Most of the bunkers on the Old Course are in natural hollows and some have been refined for modern use. Although man has made some slight adjustments to a few of the smaller details, the natural challenge of the Old Course remains intact.
The Open Championship was first played on the Old Course at St Andrews in 1873 and the 27th Open Golf Tournament took place on the Old Course in 2005, meaning that the Open has been played at the Old Course, St Andrews more often than any other golf course. In modern times, the Dunhill Cup, the Dunhill Links Championship, the Walker Cup, the Amateur Championship and a host of other professional and amateur competitions for men and women have been held over the fabled links.
When it is not windy, the Old Course can actually be quite easy to play, but the overpowering sense of awe and history that you will feel, when standing on the first tee will certainly equalise matters and regardless of the level of difficulty, the first ball that you hit on the Old Course will probably prove to be the most nerve-wracking shot that you will ever hit!
For more information with regards to official St Andrews Golf Packages including Guaranteed Tee Times on the Old Course please click on the following link: St Andrews Golf Packages