Considered the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world, the Old Course at St Andrews is hosting the 2022 running of the Open Championship this week. Having been bumped off its usual five-year rotation when the tournament was curtailed in 2020, this is the first time in seven years that the Open has returned to St Andrews, where it was last won by American Zach Johnson.
With golf first being played on the Old Course 600 years ago, the site is steeped in history and is one of the most well-known courses on the planet. No course has hosted the Open more times, with this being its 30th year as host.
The stars of the golfing world have will become very familiar with the long and obstacle-filled course, stretching 7,305 yards, over the weekend. Throughout its remarkable history, changes have inevitably occurred, while notable elements have remained the same.
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The Old Course’s history at St Andrews
St Andrews is considered the home of golf, largely down to the Old Course’s legacy as the oldest course in the world. First played upon in the 1400s, it had to contend with King James II banning the sport in 1457 due to being "too popular" and going into bankruptcy at the end of the 18th century.
After coming out the other side, the Old Course’s fame continued to grow and its 18-hole length became the standard layout for golf courses all over. It first hosted the Open in 1873 before St Andrews built the New Course as another offering to visitors.
While the Old Course stood alone for so long, it has now been joined by six other courses, including the New Course. They go by the names of The Castle Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course and Balgove Course.
The Old Course hole-by-hole guide
Hole 1: Burn, 376 yards, par 4
Hole 2: Dyke, 453 yards, par 4
Hole 3: Cartgate (Out), 401 yards, par 4
Hole 4: Ginger Beer, 491 yards, par 4
Hole 5: Hole O’Cross (Out), 568 yards, par 5
Hole 6: Heathery (Out), 420 yards, par 4
Hole 7: High (Out), 373 yards, par 4
Hole 8: Short, 175 yards, par 3
Hole 9: End, 352 yards, par 4
Hole 10: Bobby Jones, 386 yards, par 4
Hole 11: High (In), 174 yards, par 3
Hole 12: Heathery (In), 348 yards, par 4
Hole 13: Hole O’Cross (In), 453 yards, par 4
Hole 14: Long, 618 yards, par 5
Hole 15: Cartgate (In), 455 yards, par 4
Hole 16: Corner of the Dyke, 423 yards, par 4
Hole 17: Road, 495 yards, par 4
Hole 18: Tom Morris, 357 yards, par 4
The Old Course’s notable holes and features
Throughout the course, there are 112 bunkers staggered around its 18 holes, along with numerous other ridges, valleys, hollows and water hazards. The Swilcan Burn waterway and the Grannie Clark’s Wynd public road create some difficult shots for golfers.
Hole 17, the Road Hole, is perhaps the Old Course’s best-known hole. At almost 500 yards, it is renowned for being one of the toughest par 4s on the golf circuit.
The 2015 scoring average for this hole was 4.66, making it comfortably the hardest hole to complete in that year. Its complex approach to the green is what makes it so tricky, with the left-side protected by a bunker while anything long of the green results in a shot from the road beyond.
The Swilcan Bridge is another notable landmark of St Andrews, originally being built over seven centuries ago. The 14th hole’s Hell Bunker is 100 yards shy of the green, and landing in it can cause some real angst for competitors - Jack Nicklaus once took four shots to escape its clutches.
How to play at the Old Course?
Playing at St Andrews, and particularly the Old Course, is the dream for many budding golfers. Despite having overwhelming popularity, they still uphold the tradition of a ballot to determine its participants.
St Andrews states: “This enables golfers who are in the area to still have the opportunity to play the Old Course during their visit. This reflects the public spirit of St Andrews Links and its commitment to staying as open and accessible to all golf lovers.”
To enter the ballot, there must be at least two players and all names, home clubs and handicaps will be required. The ballot closes at 2pm two days ahead of play and the results are available after 4.30pm on the same day.
The next available ballot is for play on Tuesday July 19, with applications opening up on Saturday July 16 at 2.15pm. Old Course green fees for the High Season (April 18 - October 16) stand at £270, for the Shoulder Season (October 17 - October 31) are £190 and are priced at £135 for the Low Season (November 1 - March 31 2023).
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