Can I ask you a question?

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St Andrews attracts people from home and abroad – and all have questions! This is just a snapshot of answers we have been happy to provide to those visiting our wonderful town. We hope you find it useful.

Can I get a photo on the bridge?

Yes, but please be respectful of those playing golf.

The map below shows the crossing point of the Old Course along Shore Road, a public road across the 1st and 18th fairways. During busy times, this is manned at either end by marshals working for the Links Trust (the guardians of the course) who ensure people, cars, delivery trucks, runners and cyclists can all cross safely.

The best way to access the Swilcan Bridge is to walk on the outside of the course to the end of the white fence by the bridge.

The white dotted line then extends to the recommended access point for the bridge.

If no marshal is present at the bridge, check no one is either leaving the 17th green or is on the 18th tee – and then cross to the bridge, keeping an eye on the tee and green so as to not hold up golfers.

Politely, get your snaps and then return the way you came to either allow others to do the same or to clear for golfers playing through.

It is not just a financial investment made by those playing the world’s most famous course – for many it is their absolute bucket list dream fulfilled and they may have traveled for thousands of miles to do so. So reaching the tee of the final hole to find their route blocked by happy snappers on the bridge is not great!

Rest assured, there is time to get a ‘must have’ photo!

If it is busy? Simply wait your turn behind the white fence and go the bridge after the next group.

If you or those with you hold up the next tee time, you are not just holding up the golfers you see but an entire course of players, caddies and staff due to the knock-on delays.

The best time to get a photo?

Either in the early morning (as golfers won’t have yet reached the 17th or 18th holes) or on a Sunday when the course is usually closed for play. You can check the Course status via this this link: ‘CC’ means course closed – to the public.

Please DO NOT cross from the Himalayas Putting Green: again, you will hold up play and endanger yourselves. And it is best to avoid climbing over the fence from the Links as visitors on the other side of the fairway may think it is OK to do the same. Trust us: this happens!

A little history …

The Swilcan Bridge is THE bridge in golf. It has been around since the 15th century and spans the Swilcan Burn – the stream that runs through the 18th and 1st fairways of the Old Course on its way to the sea.

All legends of the game have walked over the stones. It is customary for champions to pause – pose for a photograph on their way to finishing their round and acknowledge the crowds’ support – all as a nod of respect to the Old Course in the home of golf. At the 2010 Open Championship, Tom Watson was photographed kissing the bridge. At the 2005 Open, Jack Nicklaus gave his emotional final farewell to professional golf from the bridge and at the 150th Open, Tiger Woods’ walk over the Swilcan was one of the most photographed and shared moments in golfing history.

 

Can I play a round here?

The Old Course still upholds the tradition of a ballot (lottery) drawn two days ahead of play (except for Sundays and tournament days). This enables golfers to still have the opportunity to play the Old Course during your time here.

Click on the form below to access the Links Trust website and follow the instructions: if you are on site, you can visit the Links’ Clubhouse (between the beach and the Old Course) or the Old Pavilion (alongside the 1st tee) and the staff will be happy to help and answer questions you have.

A single shot?

The Singles Daily Draw manages the allocation of any available on-the-day tee times for single players at the Old Course.

If you are a single player, you can enter the draw between 9am and 5pm on the day before you wish to play – again, either The Old Pavilion or Links Clubhouse.

Beyond this, there are packages as well as a number of Authorised Providers (Golf Tour Operators and Local Accommodation Providers) offering their own packages, including guaranteed Old Course tee times, throughout high season (April – October). Click on this link for more information.

The Old is one of eight courses managed by The Links Trust – including the New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum and the nine-hole Balgove (all in St Andrews), the Castle (just to the east of the town) and Craigtoun, the only non-links course that commands panoramic views from its location south west of St Andrews. Click on the images below to discover more on the courses and the facilities available.

And how much is it?

You can find all green fees via this link. They change seasonally and prices are updated by the Links’ Trust.

 

Can I play today?

You don’t need a handicap. You don’t need clubs … or balls. And yes, you can play … subject to availability!

The Himalayas claims to be “probably the best value entertainment in St Andrews” and is a putting course alongside the Old.

The ground was once pitted with rabbit holes and rough with whins – gorse bushes – where local washerwomen would dry clothes. In 1867, a 15 hole ‘miniature links‘ was laid out by Old Tom Morris.  Old Tom then smoothed out the surface, cut back the whins and created what has become a must visit putting experience for those visiting the town.

Open to the public daily from April to October, current prices (summer 2026) are £4 per round for adults and £2 per round for seniors and children (under 16). In the off peak months (March, April, September and October) there is more availability for ‘turn up and play customers’ although you may want to book – especially on weekends and holidays to get the time you want.

Tee times can be booked online in advance via this link. In the peak summer months, a limited number of tee times are back each day to be made available for turn up and play customers – but booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Putters and balls can be hired although the Club suggests that if you have your own equipment, it is best to bring it with you.

A note on accessibility: owing to the severely undulating putting green, it is highly dangerous to use any form of wheeled transport on the Himalayas and so in order to protect you, the public, and the Club, they regret that no wheels are allowed on the course. If you have any questions, you can email the Club via this link.

 

Should I park my car there?

The Links is the one-way road that runs down the side of the 18th hole towards Old Station Road. Parking is free in the designated spaces … but it is 100% at the car owners’ risk. “Do cars get hit?” Yes. When we’ve been on site … perhaps 3-4 every day. Dents in roofs and doors, broken windscreens … it can be an expensive ‘free’ spot. Your choice!

 

Can you tell us how to find the World Golf Museum?

The World Golf Museum is beneath the ‘pagoda’ shaped building – on the north-east side of the R&A (on the ground floor of the building shown on the left of the image below).

They run regular exhibitions and events and you can find more via this link.

 

Where are the nearest toilets / rest rooms / bathrooms?

For those in and around the 1st and 18th of the Old Course, there are public toilets and at the entrance to the car park between the World Golf Museum and West Sands beach.

For customers using their facilities, you will also find toilets at:

  • The Links Trust’s Clubhouse and Old Pavilion
  • Hams Hame Pub (beneath the Hamilton Grand’s dome)
  • Rusacks Hotel
  • Jigger Inn
  • Old Course Hotel

Where can you recommend for a coffee?

Take away or sit in?

If you’re heading to the beach, pop to The Dook. They do great takeaway coffee and you can also shelter on the beach-side of the cafe at their outdoor tables. It is dog friendly – and they even sell treats for four-legged friends. The image below shows a few ‘musts’.

The Links Clubhouse, Door and the Wild Scottish Sauna are all on the beach side. Please note, the Jigger Inn and Old Course Hotel are on the far side of the Old Course from the beach – accessible via the Shore Road across the 1st & 18th fairways.

Close to the Old Course at the 1st and 18th, you’ll find:

 

Where is a great place for breakfast?

Clarets – above the R&A World Golf Museum on the Bruce Embankment – is open 7 days a week from 8:30am to 12pm. Morning and daytime favourites include classics such as avocado on sourdough, a hearty full Scottish breakfast, indulgent eggs Benedict, and comforting plates including a signature haggis toastie. They are also open later in the day for lunch (noon until 4pm) and their dinner service runs from 5pm to 9:30pm. Visit their website via this link for menus and to book now.

Herb’s (at the entrance to the Old Course Hotel) is open from early morning – 6am seven days a week – and caters to everyone. The coffee shop exudes a chilled, European-inspired style and is blessed with free and easy parking – right outside the door. No need to battle through the traffic in town. Find more on their menu via this link or by clicking on the image below.

 

Where’s a good place for lunch?

We get asked this a lot – and so much depends on what you like as well as your budget. These are some of our favourite places and they’re just a putt or a chip from the Old Course …

 

What is the best pub in town?

Depends! Time of the day, day of the week, week of the year …

  • The Jigger Inn – steeped in golfing history and adorned with memorabilia, the Jigger is alongside the 17th Road Hole. Their beer garden looks over the wall right onto the course.
  • Hams Hame – on the site of the very first golfers’ club – The Union. Hams Hame is beneath Hamilton Grand and is the closest 19th hole to the 18th green.
  • The Dunvegan – an institution and the first 19th for those walking off the 18th and heading into town.
  • Criterion – on South Street with an on-street terrace. One of the few remaining family-run locals in town where you will experience genuine Scottish hospitality – including their legendary CriPie. Open and licensed from 10 am every day – and dog-friendly too.
  • Molly Malones – one of the town’s most popular pubs with giant screen showing sport plus live music, DJ nights and more.

Take a stroll … there are many more! And you’ll find them plus more food & drink options via the NOW App via this link.

 

Can you recommend any smaller, local courses?

There are more than 50 courses within a 45 minute drive of St Andrews. Some of our favourites?

  • Anstruther – formed on November 3rd 1890. It started life as a 7 hole course, moving to a 9 hole layout in 1893. Just 9 miles south from St Andrews.
  • Cupar – a hillside parkland course founded in 1855 and the oldest nine-hole club in the world! 10 miles west from St Andrews.
  • Scotscraig – founded in 1817 by members of The Society of St Andrews Golfers, Scotscraig remains the oldest course still owned and played by its founding club. A huge investment programme is underway covering the Clubhouse and course. 11 miles north from St Andrews. 

 

Where is the best shop for us to buy golfing gifts?

The closest and largest is The Old Course Shop – right alongside the 18th green. Open Monday – Sunday from 9am until 7pm. It is the flagship store for St Andrews Links and offers the widest variety of men’s and ladies’ apparel featuring exclusive collaborations as well as The St Andrews Links Tartan range … the most popular collection in store. You’ll also find knitwear in lambswool, merino and cashmere – all sourced and made in Scotland – plus a huge selection of prints, glassware and accessories in St Andrews. There’s also a smaller shop in the Links Clubhouse by the New & Jubilee courses.

Others? Great for equipment – especially clubs – is the family-run Auchterlonies, just a short walk from the 18th green on Golf Place. And if you’re heading to the Jigger Inn, check out the newly refurbished pro shop at the Old Course Hotel which stocks all manner of clothing and gifts. It is open from 6.30am until 8pm.

 

The world’s home of golf …

We are very privileged to welcome so many people to this amazing town – visitors from home and abroad.

Just this year, we have spoken with folk who have come from all four corners of the world. This is just a snapshot to illustrate the astonishing draw of the town …

 

 

Thank you for reading. 

Please feel free to share with all who may be interested. 

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