St Andrew's & Self Catering Cottage Holidays
Today's St Andrews is famous throughout the world as the home of golf. As originally played it had origins in a continental game a little like croquet. It was clearly well established here by 1457, for in that year King James II banned golf because it diverted too much time away from the much more useful pastime of archery practice. The ban seems to have been largely ignored.
St Andrews holds a special place in Scotland's history. It takes its name from the Apostle whose relics, legend tells us, were brought to this place in antiquity by St Rule. Scotland later adopted St Andrew as her patron saint and took his saltire cross for her flag. Before the Reformation, the town was the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland, with the bishops wielding great influence over both church and state. St Andrews is also famous as a place of learning. The university, founded in 1410-11, is the third oldest in Britain.
The Home of Golf
For many visitors, though, it's a game that draws them here, for St Andrews is the home of golf, the sport having been played here for some 600 years. The Old Course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is still the ruling body for the rules of golf. Fittingly, the Old Course hosted the Open during the millennium year and did so again in 2005.
Exploring St Andrews
St Andrews is a town meant for exploring. The medieval layout of the town centre remains intact, with the main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets. Take time to explore - on foot - and take pleasure at the surprises and delights you will find
Location Map: ST ANDREWS
The Castle Course: the seventh course at the Home of Golf
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| The Castle Course from the seventeenth tee |
St Andrews Links Trust is creating a seventh eighteen hole course to join its portfolio of six courses.
The Castle Course will be a public course, open in the summer of 2008.
For more information or to make a booking call 44 (0) 1334 466666, or email reservations@standrews.org.uk
Online bookings for the period 28 June to 31 October 2008 can now be made. The course is closed from 1 November 2008 to 31 March 2009. The Castle Course can be booked on its own or as part of the two course policy operating when booking the Old Course.
There is no handicap restriction on The Castle Course. It is not possible to book The Castle Course as a single golfer. Trolleys are permitted but ride-on buggies will not be available on The Castle Course.
Only golfers who are registered disabled with a permanent condition of disability and relevant supporting documentation may request a buggy for use on The Castle Course. The golfer’s disability documentation should be provided at the time of booking. Buggies are subject to availability and must be driven by a qualified caddie driver.
Sundays can be pre booked by visitors and locals subject to availability but there are five Sundays restricted to yearly ticket holders only:
27 July 2008
24 August 2008
14 Sept. 2008
28 Sept. 2008
19 October 2008
Saturdays can be pre booked by visitors and locals subject to availability but there are 5 Saturdays restricted to visitors only:
26 July 2008
23 August 2008
13 September 2008
27 September 2008
18 October 2008
For more on advance booking at St Andrews Links click here
Following the coastline east of St Andrews, The Castle Course is two miles from the town centre. Work on the ground began early in 2005.
The designer, David McLay Kidd, creator of Bandon Dunes on the West Coast of America, has created a typical Scottish golf experience. Each hole has a choice of five tees and the course will be playable between about 5300-7200 yards.
Plan of the Castle Course drawn by David McLay Kidd Golf Design. The clubhouse is
situated at the point marked by the red circle.
Aerial photographs of the original landscape in 2004
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| The Castle Course looking towards St Andrews. | The Castle Course from the westward. |