About the course
The New Course lies on the St Andrews Links between the Old Course and the Jubilee, running out along the dunes towards the Eden estuary and back. Despite its name, it is one of the oldest courses in the town, and it is often described as the oldest new course in the world. The ground is classic linksland, with gorse-covered dunes, firm and rippling fairways and the same sandy turf as its famous neighbour.
The course was laid out by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1895. It was built because the Old Course had become overcrowded as the railway brought more visitors to St Andrews, and the R&A paid for its construction in return for reserved times on the Old Course, an arrangement later written into the legislation that governs the Links. The New Course has long been a venue for amateur championships and is used for final qualifying when The Open comes to St Andrews.
Like the Old, the New follows a traditional out and back routing, with some shared fairways and a double green serving the 3rd and the 15th. The holes are more clearly defined, and the dunes and gorse close in around many of the landing areas, so placing the drive matters on almost every hole. The long par 4 10th, where the fairway squeezes between two lines of dunes, is the hole that stays in the memory. Coming home, the wind usually swings round, and the last few holes ask for careful judgement on approaches that bounce and run on firm turf.
Why we recommend it
The New Course lies right beside the Old Course and shares much of the same ground, so it is the closest you can get to the Old Course experience without the ballot. Many locals consider it the tougher of the two, with tighter driving lines and fewer double greens. Tee times are much easier to secure than on the Old, which makes it a reliable centrepiece for a St Andrews week and a good test for single-figure players.
Photo gallery
| Ranking Scotland | 27 |
| Architect | Old Tom Morris |
| Year of foundation | 1895 |
| Par Course | 71 |
| Number of holes | 18 |