St Andrews Links

St Andrews Links

West Sands Beach running along the coast to the left with the St Andrews Links and the town of St Andrews to the right
Club information
Coordinates	56°21′06″N 2°49′05″W / 56.35167°N 2.81806°W / 56.35167; -2.81806
Location	St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Established	Over 6 centuries
Type	Public
Operated by	St Andrews Links Trust
Events hosted	The Open Championship Alfred Dunhill Links Championship St Andrews Links Trophy
Old Course
Par	72
Length	6,721 yards (6,146 m)
Course record	61; Ross Fisher (2017) [1]
The Castle Course
Par	71
Length	6,759 yards (6,180 m)
New Course
Par	71
Length	6,625 yards (6,058 m)
Jubilee Course
Par	72
Length	6,742 yards (6,165 m)
Eden Course
Par	70
Length	6,250 yards (5,720 m)
Strathtyrum Course
Par	69
Length	5,620 yards (5,140 m)
Balgove Course
Par	30
Length	1,520 yards (1,390 m)

St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the "Home of Golf". It has one of the oldest courses in the world, where the game has been played since the 15th century. Today there are seven public golf courses: the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, and the Old Course all on the links, and The Castle Course, a mile to the east of the town. The famous Old Course is widely considered one of the finest courses in the world. The courses of St Andrews Links are owned by the local authorities and operated by St Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization.

In general, St Andrews is a popular hub for golf tourism, as there is a high density of links and heathland courses in the area. In addition to the public courses there are two courses at the privately owned Fairmont Hotel (Torrance and Kittocks) to the south of the town; and the Duke's and Drumoig, both inland parkland courses to the west. A few miles further South are the modern links of Kingsbarns and the traditional Balcomie links at Crail. Also nearby are the courses at Elie, Lundin, Leven, Scotscraig and Anstruther. Within 45 minutes drive are Monifieth, Carnoustie and Panmure.

St Andrews is also home to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the most prestigious golf clubs and, until 2004, one of the two rule-making authorities of golf.