The Courses of St Andrews
A vast majority of overseas golfers visiting St Andrews have probably got their gaze firmly fixed on the Old Course. That’s not unusual. We see this all the time.
Unless we’re prepared to pay the heavily inflated green fees associated with any guaranteed package (typically about eight times the value of the actual green fee), then we’ll need to spend some extended time in and around St Andrews as we run the numbers game and set up something of a siege to the ‘auld grey toon’
What we’re doing in effect is waiting to win a ballot. The more applications we make (days we can make ourselves available to play), the greater our chances of success etc The longer we do this though, we’ll also need alternatives whilst we wait out the golfing Gods to smile upon us. It’s worth taking a brief look at the ‘other’ courses in St Andrews therefore
The New Course
The St Andrews New Course was built in 1895, which must make it the oldest ‘new course’ in the world. It benefited to a large extent from the earth moving age and evolution in course design that the Old Course hadn’t necessarily done so, albeit the head green keeper ‘Old’ Tom Morris oversaw its layout and completion.
The New Course is often said to be the towns folks favourite and there is certainly a body of opinion that it’s the most complete test of a links golfer that St Andrews has to offer
The Castle Course
With links land beginning to run out, the Trust were forced to look slightly further afield when they introduced their most recent 18 hole course.
Perched on top of the cliffs overlooking the town below, the David MacKlay Kidd designed Castle Course, was opened in 2008, and is a couple of miles outside of St Andrews. It’s not a true links even if it bears the unmistakable character of one. It’s certainly the most aesthetic of the St Andrews courses and is quickly gaining in popularity now as it begins to climb the rankings. It’s a hilly design but as the architects reputation continues to grow, there’s a sense that perhaps the Trust have landed with the Castle
The Jubilee Course
By the 1890’s however the game of golf was enjoying a terrific expansion in popularity as the railway opened the links of Scotland up to playing populations that were otherwise prevented from reaching them. In 1897 St Andrews added its third links, the Jubilee course, which was squeezed in between the other two and named in honour of Queen Victoria. In 1988 Donald Steel revised the layout to Championship standards. Many now regard the Jubilee as the toughest course on these fabled links
The Craigtoun Course
The Craigtoun Course is the renamed ‘Dukes Course’ (the Dukes in question suffering from a bit of reputational issue) so the course took the name of nearby country park. The Craigtoun Course was previously operated by the Old Course Hotel and built to a Championship standard but joined the Links Trust stable in 2026.
It’s linksy in character but probably plays on terrain we would more accurate describe as heathland, as its located about 3 miles in-land from the coast (similar distance to the Fairmont courses, albeit they stay on the coastline albeit on a cliff top)
Before its switch, it was generally held to be of a similar standard to the New or Castle Course
The Eden Course
The fourth addition to the family came in 1914, when Harry S Colt of Pine Creek and Royal Portrush built the Eden Course. With much of the more promising links land now claimed, attention began to focus along the seaward side of the links and making greater use of the river estuary as it flows out into the North Sea. Colt built a course that made use of the natural folds in the terrain and didn’t seek to over-bunker it. The Eden is a quite subtle addition to the clan and a lot more tricky than people imagine. It’s a bit shorter than the New, ‘Jube’ and Castle and can prove particular popular with the towns students, or overseas visitors who’ve arrived in St Andrews in the early afternoon and who are welcoming of a ‘sighter’ to help ‘get their eye in’
The Fairmont Courses
The two Championship courses operated by the Fairmont Hotel have something of a Cane and Abel relationship given that they periodically pinch holes from each other. The Kittocks was traditionally considered the more challenging of the two. After Sam Torrance oversaw a renovation to restore parity with the Kittocks, the second of the Fairmont family reopened in 2009, and many now consider it to have surpassed the Kitttocks. Indeed, that sense was probably confirmed when in the ‘covid season’ of 2020 the Torrance hosted a European Tour event
Both courses are cliff top layouts with stunning views looking back into St Andrews, and the ever moody North Sea. On a windy day, it can require some nerve to play. The feature holes at bother are also the 17th, a dog-leg par 4 where the approach shot is a forced carry over a cleft in the cliff line at the Kittocks, and a par 3 with a forced carry over a cleft on the Torrance.
Ways to play the Old Course
In very broad terms
- The Ballot
- The Singles Ballot
- Private Advance Ballot
- Guaranteed Packages
There are a whole load of compromises involved with these, and this is a summary.
To explore the machinations in greater detail click the button below
Ballot Strike Rates
The answer to this question overlaps onto the question of the best time of year too, since its perfectly possible to frame the answer to the latter with an appreciation of the former
Ballot strike rates aren’t routinely published, so we need to rely on a series of proxy indicators and reports to estimate what we think it is happening. There is a little bit of pseudo science behind this (and we sometimes suspect witchcraft too).
To explore this in greater detail by clicking the button below
Best Time of Year
The time of year is always an important consideration but there are probably three things ‘going on’ here, so definitive answer, ‘Climate’, ‘Cost’ and ‘Course’. Your own decision is probably going to be framed by where you place the balance of priorities, and not surprisingly perhaps, climate and cost are a little bit in conflict with each other
The Old Course closes from mid September until early October, and there is another block out in the first week of May that is normally best avoided. There is a heavy use pattern in the first week of June as well that we usually seek to swerve. July and August are the busiest months but have recently been gifted more ballot times and visitor opportunities (outside of an Open Championship year)
There was a time when we used to advise that April was a ‘shrewdie’, but whereas it still remains the driest month of the year by rainfall inches (that hasn’t changed) we believe it’s lost it’s edge on the Old Course ballot as diligent golfers doing their research discovered that it was relatively under-subscribed.
To learn more about the different seasons and months click button below
Accommodation
St Andrews is a small town, but an exclusive one. It’s recently overtaken Edinburgh as the most property in Scotland and show little sign of slowing down. Going forward, this looks like becoming a serious barrier in the future as everyone dashes to become a five-star. Even those properties that fall below five-star standards are realising that they can charge five-star prices. Traditional supply is either being bought up and converted into luxury apartments or sold to developers for five star refurbishments at an alarming rate. At Faraway Fairways we’re genuinely fearful for the direction that St Andrews is heading in
To explore this in greater detail on the click below
The Town Itself
It needs to be remembered perhaps that with its ruined old castle and cathedral St Andrews is a legitimate visitor destination regardless of its golf. The town itself has charisma and personality bought about by its university. Consequently it also has more than its fair share of 19th holes too, punching well above its weight. If the sun shines, the town also has an extensive beach made famous by Hollywood in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’. Any golfers coming under pressure from non-golfers can offer St Andrews with a clear conscience
To explore this is in a bit more detail click the button below
We can include the St Andrews Courses as follows
In truth, any St Andrews course can pretty much be added to any St Andrews focused package to help reinforce. You might think that this starts to look a bit like ‘fill’, but there is also a strategic element to the decision too.
A vast majority of overseas golfers travel to St Andrews with the objective of playing the Old Course. It’s kind of difficult to just rock up and play the Old Course however. We need to lay a little bit of a siege to it (without allowing it to completely dictate and pin us in). This means ‘running the numbers game’. So long as we’re prepared to use the ‘singles ballot’ then a strategy that attacks Weds to Sat should put us close to the threshold of expectation. We’d normally expect to be in the region of 85%+
Whilst we’re ‘waiting out the Old Course’ however, we have golf to play, and if we don’t want to travel too far to do so, or have a bit of a budgetary consideration to stay on top of, then the Other Golf Courses in St Andrews offer us opportunity
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”
Enquiry
We don't need to make this an ordeal by 101 filtering questions! In reality there are probably little more than half a dozen things we need to know to build out a proposal. The guidance below might help you frame answers
Duration - usually best expressed as a range up to a maximum
Time of year - can be anything from a specific date range to a named season
Travel class - Faraway Fairways uses 'Luxury', 'Premier' or 'Affordable' for generic purposes. You might choose to reference the international 'star' rating system. We're only looking for something to help steer us into the right sector
Self drive or hired driver - In broad terms, self driving is normally less expensive, and much more flexible, but some folk just don't want to do it
Must play courses/ must do places - a few name checks is all that's needed