Travel Guide to St. Andrew’s Scotland: A Golfer’s Dream

Most golfers dream of visiting and playing on the world’s oldest golf course, St Andrews in Scotland. The course has been around an incredible 600 years and is world renowned as the Home of Golf.

What started as a simple track carved out of the bushes and heather, has grown into seven public golf courses and the largest golf complex in Europe. If you think that playing at St Andrews is an unattainable aspiration, think again. Here is a travel guide to help you make your dream come true.

Getting to Scotland

The closest international airport is Edinburgh airport, which will put you just 50 miles south of St Andrews upon arrival. If you’re looking for the least expensive way to fly, it is usually cheaper to fly into New York’s JFK airport and take a direct flight from there.

Before your vacation, I recommend reserving a rental car, the easiest way to get around Scotland. I used 1car1 when I flew into Edinburgh. They offered the best rate and their airport shuttle will pick you up at arrivals and take you right to your car. It’s always a good idea to compare prices for rental cars, as they can vary greatly. Take a look at Travelocity or Expedia, as well as searching online yourself.

Another item on your to-do list before you leave, is to make reservations at St Andrews Links. If you want to play the Old Course, you’ll need to reserve a tee time almost a year in advance. The other courses can usually be reserved just a week in advance, but it’s always best to secure your place as soon as you know when you’ll be there.

Edinburgh to St Andrews

The drive to St Andrews can be done in an hour and 20 minutes; however, if you’re new to Scotland, the best route is along the coast. You’ll drive through several picturesque villages with spectacular views of the sea.

The town of Anstruther is an ideal place to stop for lunch. It’s famous for the award-winning fish and chip shop, called Anstruther Fish Bar. It’s located right at the harbour, where you can enjoy your meal and watch the ships sail in and out of the busy port. Local Scots travel for miles for a taste of their delicious fish and chips.

Where to stay

If you plan on spending most of your time on the golf course, it makes sense to stay in St Andrews. There are dozens of bed and breakfast accommodations throughout the area, and I always recommend staying at a B & B opposed to a hotel. You’ll get a much better feel for the local culture, and usually a much more pleasant all-around stay.

If an exceptionally comfortable bed and stunning sea view is what you’re looking for, consider a stay at No12 Bed & Breakfast. Your host, Pam, is warm and friendly (as most Scottish seem to be), and she is also an amazing cook. Smelling the heavenly breakfast from your cozy room, is a great motivator in the early morning hours before hitting the golf course.

Rates start at about $128 USD per night, and all have bathrooms en-suite with either a sea or St Andrews skyline view.

St Andrews Links

Assuming you’ve made your reservation on one of the seven courses at St Andrews, be sure to plan on arriving about an hour ahead of your scheduled tee time. You can rent clubs and anything else you need at the St Andrews Clubhouse.

Remember that the weather here is often windy. This can make for a challenging golf game, but with the beautiful scenic location of the course, just being there is part of the fun.

Other things to do

St Andrews castle sits on a headland in a picturesque location above the sea. Here you can tour the Bottle Dungeon, a prison that was in use during medieval times. This is a great castle to explore, an possibly just a little eerie. I don’t think I’d want to be there after dark. Tours are less than $10 USD for an adult.

The town of St Andrews offers lots of opportunities for shopping and dining, as well as a beautiful Botanic Garden. There are several museums and even an aquarium located right downtown.

Talk to your Bed & Breakfast host and she’ll be sure to have some excellent recommendations based on your specific interests. You’ll find the Scottish especially welcoming and ready and willing to give some great advice.


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