St Andrews New Course

A Historic Links Born from Overcrowding

When golf's popularity exploded in the late 19th century, St Andrews Links faced a crisis: overcrowding on the Old Course made play increasingly difficult. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club sought to purchase additional land to build a second course, but the initial offer was rejected. Following the death of landowner Alexander Cheape in 1893, the opportunity finally arose. The Club purchased the links for £5,000, and the Town Council granted them the right to construct a new course. Old Tom Morris, the legendary course designer and four-time Open Champion, was commissioned to lay out this second links. The New Course opened for play on April 10, 1895, with a ceremonial round featuring the local doctor, sheriff, and Old Tom himself. According to historical records, the flags were colored blue going out and yellow coming in—a charming detail from the Dundee Courier's coverage of that inaugural day.

Design and Layout: A Parallel Journey

The New Course follows a traditional out-and-back routing characteristic of Scottish links golf. The front nine runs almost entirely parallel to the Old Course's front nine, with the two courses separated by a narrow strip of land. Where the Old Course turns left, the New takes a right, creating a distinct but complementary experience. Holes 1 through 8 border the Old Course on its east side, and holes 4 through 6 play inside the distinctive shepherd's crook routing of the Old Course. The first tee and 18th green are located near the Ladies Putting Green, known locally as the Himalayas. The course features a large double green shared by the 3rd and 15th holes, echoing a design hallmark of its older neighbor. The routing eventually turns toward the Eden Estuary before the homeward nine brings golfers back toward the Links Trust clubhouse.

The Challenge: Gorse, Wind, and Demanding Holes

While the New Course may lack the quirky character and blind shots of the Old Course, it presents a formidable and honest challenge. After a generous opening, the course becomes increasingly demanding, with fairways bounded closely by vast banks of yellow-flowering gorse that punish wayward drives. The course measures just under 6,400 yards from the yellow tees, but length alone does not define its difficulty. Old Tom Morris's signature long par-4s and exceptionally long par-3s demand precision and power. Two par-3s play over 220 yards, and the 9th hole stands as perhaps the most memorable on the course—a treacherous 225-yard short hole that runs along the water's edge to a partially sunken green. Anything left finds out of bounds; gorse guards the right. Played into a strong wind, it rivals any par-3 on the Old Course in severity. The 6th hole, at 445 yards, is the longest par-4 on the front nine and becomes brutally difficult when the wind is against you. The homeward nine is particularly exacting, with several holes that demand careful course management and precise shot-making.

Fairways, Greens, and Honest Bunkering

The New Course differs from the Old in several important ways. Its fairways are considerably narrower and more defined, with fast-running turf that rewards drives that land on the fly and stay there. Missing the fairway by a small margin does not punish as severely as on the Old Course, but distance is sacrificed. The greens are fast, rolling, and honest—true-running surfaces without the deep hollows, awkward run-off areas, or unpredictable bounces that characterize the Old Course. The bunkering, while well-designed and strategically placed, is less vast and yawning than the Old's famous hazards. The terrain rises and falls naturally, creating a first-class links experience that uses the landscape to its advantage without the eccentricity of its famous neighbor. This more conventional design makes the New Course a less demanding first play for those new to St Andrews, yet it remains a serious examination of golfing skill and temperament.

A Local Favorite and Worthy Destination

The New Course holds a special place in the hearts of St Andrews golfers and locals. It is often overshadowed by the Old Course's legendary status, yet it deserves recognition as a superb links in its own right. The course offers a distinctive challenge and a pure golfing experience rooted in tradition. Many consider it the finest of the downtown St Andrews courses after the Old, and it is frequently the locals' preferred choice for regular play. Tee times are generally easier to obtain than on the Old Course, and green fees are considerably more affordable, ranging from £65 in winter to £130 in summer. For visitors planning a St Andrews pilgrimage, the New Course serves as an ideal warm-up or companion round, offering excellent value and a solid, rewarding links experience that honors Old Tom Morris's enduring design legacy.