If you have ever Googled the subject of St. Andrews golf holidays, it is likely to produce the largest number of results for any search string which includes golf. I think this is principally for two reasons: It is a highly popular golf destination, with the oldest golf tradition on the planet, and secondly, it has such an incredible choice of accommodation and golf courses most first time visitors don’t know where to start.

It also has the unfortunate reputation in the industry of having the most expensive golf holiday package anywhere: The Old Course Experience. It is a huge shame, from our perspective, when the Links Trust offers a single travel partner access to an exclusive block of tee times on the Old Course who then package them up with the Old Course Hotel at highly inflated prices. Yet wealthy golfing visitors continue to buy these packages believing this is the only way to play the Old Course.

So let us tell you how to visit the Home of Golf, play the Old Course as well as the many other outstanding golf courses in the area for a fraction of the cost of these Experience holidays.

At the top of every first time visitor’s list is the Old Course. The first thing you should know is that most seasoned golfers would agree that the Old Course is not necessarily the best course in St. Andrews. Indeed the course has a number of highly quirky holes, which is by no means a negative, but taken altogether can detract from what would otherwise be a fine Links layout, were the course played the correct way around. That’s right…..often the course was originally played backwards, and indeed, on at least one occasion each year the R&A play the course in this configuration. Many of the bunkers will seem lie at a more appropriate angle and landing areas become much more sensible. For a superb write up of the Reverse course and an entire commentary on every single reverse hole, with photographs, see the scholarly piece by Jeremy Glenn of Golf Club Atlas

So which is the best course at St. Andrews if it isn’t the Old Course? Well that depends. In my view the Jubilee is probably the sternest test but is the most fair. The New is outstanding and I would never argue with a golfer who claimed the New or the Old as a preference over the Jubilee. I think it can be fairly said that every day on a Links Trust course is a joy, and I include the Himalayas Putting green, beside the 1st fairway of the Old Course. You mustn’t miss this wonderful 18 Hole experience. At £2 a round, it is also the best value in Scotland, but be prepared for toddlers, prams, very senior Seniors as this is a highly social venue for all of the St. Andrews townsfolk.

The Strathtyrum course is a fun, more straightforward Links, designed by Donald Steel and is just 5600 yards, and like the 1500 yard Balgove course is a superb choice if you come to St. Andrews with family or friends who are new to golf, or very young, or perhaps looking for a very relaxed game.

The Eden is often underestimated, but every time I play it I am always reminded of how good it is, with many raised tees bordering the Estuary, adding to the exposed nature of the layout, where a 300 yard hole can seem like 450 yards or 150.

The latest addition to the Trust portfolio is the eagerly awaited Castle Course, a David Kidd design (Bandon Dunes) which is getting very good reviews, although the greens are considered too severe by some and may be due for some revisions judging by the rumors we hear.

Green fees for these courses vary wildly, with the New and the Jubilee never more than £70 in the High Season whilst the Old Course and Castle are a hefty £150 and £120. For full pricing for 2012 see the Trust website:

So most readers have heard of the ballot. You or your hotelier complete a card which must be placed in a box down near the 1st tee of the Old Course for a request to play the following day. Here are a few tips for getting on this way. Firstly, make sure you are not balloting for a day when any events, no matter how small will reduce your odds. You can find the events calendar here. Secondly, complete the ballot with four names and make sure to request caddies. Third, have your ID and handicap certificate with you if you are successful: you will be turned away if you try and send a substitute.

The other way of getting on the Old course is to queue up first thing (and I mean first thing) at the Starters hut as a single or double and wait for a group which is not full. You may end up playing with R&A members, students, or townsfolk, who all have priority access to different times. But don’t feel you can only get on the course by the early morning ritual. On a recent June visit, on the day of our arrival at lunchtime, 3 members of our group headed straight for the starter and all of them were on the course within the hour.

So far you have paid only the retail amount for your green fee on the Old. To keep to your budget, ensure you play the New and the Jubilee as well as the Eden. Total so far is £150, £70, £70 and £45. If you really want to play the Castle course, make sure you buy a 3 or 7 day ticket. The Castle course is included in the rota and if you play the New and Jubilee you save £70 just on a 3 day ticket alone in High Season (£190 vs £260).

Transport
Getting to St Andrews is easy from Edinburgh airport. We recommend the highly dependable and almost unintelligible Gordon, of G&S cabs in St. Andrews. They can be pre-booked, but also offer a very affordable shuttle service to and from the airport. The St Andrews Shuttle will collect you from home in St Andrews at a prearranged time, so no dragging heavy luggage around town in the early hours of the morning. They will also meet and greet you at Edinburgh Airport.
They have 4, 6 and 8 seater vehicles available and there are no confusing tariffs – the fare is £18.00 GBP per person per journey, whether you are a single passenger or part of a group while the shuttle is running, see the timetable for applicable dates and times.
For many journeys on the timetable they offer a heavily discounted rate of £70 per car for up to four people (full metered rate is £110) or £85 for 5 to 8 people depending on luggage.
The St Andrews Shuttle is a new St Andrews based service, which started in November 2008. You can ontact G&S at + 44 (0)1334 47 10 11 or by Email: info@gandscabs.com.

Once you get to St. Andrews, don’t even think about renting a car. It is not necessary. The Links Trust operates a terrific shuttle bus to which loops around the golf courses and town, is easy to board with golf clubs and best of all is completely free.

So the final question, of course, is where to stay. This depends somewhat on your preference, but there are numerous B&Bs in St Andrews. I would try and get one on The Scores as this is on the route for the shuttle but is also a short walk down the 1st tee of the Old Course. Here is a good list to start, but you will need to check their location on a town map and make sure you are far away from the shuttle route.
http://www.standrewsdirectory.com/category/bedandbreakfasts.html

My own preference, based on many visits, is one of a few good family or small hotels. Don’t get me wrong, I’d happily stay in the Old Course Hotel at the drop of a hat, but this article is about affordable St Andrews, and the American owned hotel ( by the Kohler family, who own the American Club in Wisconsin) is full-on 5*!

http://www.hazelbank.com/  Around GBP140 per room per night high season.  The proprietor, Michael, and his family, take expectional care of their clients and the place is squeaky clean – not always the case in some St. Andrews hotels.

http://www.russellhotelstandrews.co.uk/ Around GBP150 per room per night high season

http://www.bw-scoreshotel.co.uk/ Around GBP200 per room per night high season

http://www.ardgowanhotel.co.uk/ Around GBP125 per room per night high season.  Great brekky and good bar, beds are quite small

So there you have it – the best value hotels, the best way to play the courses and the best way to get around.  In another post I will tell you where to eat.   In the meantime, if you would like Athlone Travel to arrange your holiday, please let us know. We’d be delighted to help.

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