St Andrews Links: The Heart of Golf

When you think of St Andrews Links, the oldest and most sacred golf course complex in the world, located in Fife, Scotland. Also known as The Home of Golf, it’s not just a place where people play—it’s where the game was shaped, rules were written, and legends were made. This isn’t just another golf course. It’s the reason golf has rules, traditions, and a global following. The Old Course, the oldest known golf course still in play, dating back to the 15th century at St Andrews Links has hosted more Open Championships than any other venue. It’s the only course where players walk the same fairways as Old Tom Morris and Bobby Jones. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the former governing body of golf outside the U.S. and Mexico, founded in 1754 used to run the sport’s rules from here. Even today, its influence echoes in every tee shot, every bunker, and every putt on the planet.

St Andrews Links isn’t just one course—it’s a cluster of eight courses, but the Old Course is the crown jewel. Its double greens, deep pot bunkers, and the Swilcan Bridge aren’t just scenery—they’re challenges designed by centuries of play, not architects. The Road Hole, the 17th hole on the Old Course, famous for its narrow fairway, deep bunker, and adjacent hotel wall is feared by pros and loved by fans. Why? Because it’s pure golf: no gimmicks, no luxury, just skill against wind, sand, and history. You won’t find a driving range here with neon lights. You’ll find a shared putting green where amateurs and pros line up side by side. That’s the culture. That’s the legacy.

What makes St Andrews Links different from every other course? It doesn’t charge elite fees to keep people out—it invites anyone who respects the game. The Old Course is open to the public through a daily ballot system. You don’t need to be a member. You don’t need to be rich. You just need to show up, play, and understand that this place doesn’t belong to anyone—it belongs to golf. That’s why golfers from Tokyo to Toronto still dream of walking its fairways. And that’s why the posts below cover everything from the tiny golf hole size that dates back to 1829, to how Tiger Woods’ courses compare, to why running shoes matter for golfers who walk 5 miles a round. Whether you’re here to learn the history, understand the rules, or just appreciate why this place still holds the soul of the game, you’ll find real stories, real facts, and real passion in the articles ahead.