Golf has been played on the Links at St Andrews since around 1400 AD and the Old Course is renowned throughout the world as the Home of Golf.

As the 600 year history of the Links has unfolded, one simple track hacked through the bushes and heather has developed into six public golf courses. In 1764 the Old Course consisted of 22 holes, 11 out and 11 back, with golfers playing to the same green going out and in, except for the 11th and 22nd holes.

The golfers decided that the first four holes, and the last four holes, were too short and that they should each be made into two holes instead of four. This reduced the number of holes in the round from 22 to 18, and that is how today’s standard round of golf was created. The Castle Course, the recently created seventh course, is situated on cliff tops overlooking St Andrews to the east of the town.

More detail and information on pre-booking tee times for the seven courses managed by the Links Trust can be found on the St Andrews Links Trust website www.standrews.org.uk