Until 1764, the course comprised 12 holes and a round consisted of 22 holes. By 1764, the Society of St. Andrews Golfers decided to combine some holes, thus reducing a round to 18 holes. Due to the growing popularity of the game, the greens were enlarged in 1832, catering for incoming golfers playing two different holes, an economical way of creating 18 separate holes and fairways.
While golf has been played for centuries at St. Andrews, it was not always looked upon favourably by the authorities. Under the Act of Parliament of 1457, it was decreed that "golfe be utterly cryit doun and not usit". James III and IV subsequently reinforced this statement from James II due to the belief that the pursuit of golf was distracting men from archery practice and thereby weakening the defence against the threat of invading English armies.
In the absence of wind, the Old Course can actually play quite easy but the overpowering sense of awe that one feels when standing on the first tee will certainly equalise matters. And while each hole is both a pleasure and an unforgettable experience to play, some of the finest on the Old Course include the first, eleventh, fourteenth and seventeenth holes.
The Old Course at St. Andrews is a must for all avid golfers, who should make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. While it is one thing getting the opportunity to play here, it is quite another to make the occasion a memorable one in scoring terms. Every virgin Old Course golfer finds that in addition to pitting their wits against the course, the none-too-slight elements of history, reputation, aura and self-determination all contrive against a low return. As the legendary Robert the Bruce said to his troops at the battle of Bannockburn "I have brought you to the ring, now you must dance".
St Andrews Links Trust
Pilmour House
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9SF
Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1334 466666
Fax: +44 (0) 1334 479555
Links Clubhouse
West Sands Road
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9XL
Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1334 466666
Fax: +44 (0) 1334 466664
