St Andrews - Old Course

Opened: 1552
Designer: Unknown
Par: 72
​Length: 7,305 yards
 
The home of golf; where it all started over 600 years ago. The great champions of golf have all graced its fairways and every true lover of the game should play The Old Course at St. Andrews at some point in their golf life. There is nothing like the feeling of anticipation as you tee your ball on the first hole and consider the history that has played out over the links.
 
One of the unique features of the Old Course are the large double greens. Seven greens are shared by two holes each, with hole numbers adding up to 18 (2nd paired with 16th, 3rd with 15th, all the way up to 8th and 10th). The Swilcan Bridge, spanning the first and 18th holes, has become a famous icon for golf in the world. Everyone who plays the 18th hole walks over this 700 year old bridge, and many famous pictures of the farewells of the most iconic golfers in history have been taken on this bridge. Only the 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th holes have their own greens. Along with that, the Old Course has 112 bunkers, which are all individually named and have their own unique story and history behind them. The two most famous are the 10 ft deep "Hell Bunker" on the 14th hole, and the "Road Hole Bunker" on the 17th hole. Countless professional golfers have seen their dreams of winning the Open Championship squandered by hitting their balls in those bunkers, making them two of the most feared and dreaded places to find oneself on a golf course.

The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship 28 times and it returned again in 2015.