The Home of Golf

Every 5 years the British Open is played on a course that is considered to be "The Home of Golf." Today we were able to visit and tour this iconic golf course that dates back more than 600 years. 

Right behind the sign you will see the tee for the first hole.

One interesting and unusual characteristic of St. Andrew's Old Course is that many of the greens (or holes for those less golf savvy) are shared. This means that they are twice as big and two sets of golfers may be playing on the green at the same time. There are only 3 holes that have individual greens and those are the first, seventeenth, and eighteenth hole. 

 This is the fairway of the first and eighteenth hole. Although they do not share a green they do have side by side fairways!

These holes also do not have any bunkers, trees, or rough. However, there are buildings, roads, and the other fairway on the sides so there is plenty to avoid and overcome.

Like the road goes right through the middle of the fairways! 

Or the fact that there are some major "hills" right around the green.

We were able to get on the famous "Swilican Bridge" that goes to the 18th Green. 

This bridge is over 600 years old and spans the Swilican Burn.

We were not quite greeted by the crowds like Jack was on his final farewell, but we felt pretty special! You may notice that we are way more bundled up than he was and it was around the same time of year. It is not uncommon for it to be exceptionally windy and misty on the course. 

The Golf Course sits on the West Sands beach. We were amazed that in this weather there were actually some people wind surfing in the water. They definitely had the wind for it, but wow, the temps were cold.

If the beach looks familiar, it was the one that was used for the opening running scene in Chariots of Fire. Can you hear the music playing in your mind? I can't imagine running today either. The sand was blowing everywhere!

Here is a link to the scene in case you want to watch! It even shows them running across the St. Andrew's fairway.

Chariots of fire Opening Running Scene

We will be anxiously awaiting July 2021 when the British Open is next at St. Andrew's so we can watch and remember our day here.