St Andrews: New Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

St Andrews New Course Key Information

Designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris, St Andrews New Course dates back to 1895 and is one of three Links Trust courses in the Top 100 Golf Courses UK&I. Despite sitting immediately beside the Old Course, the most famous course in the world, it is very much a leading links in its own right and is one of the best golf courses in Scotland.

The Links Trust describes this as “The oldest ‘new’ course in the world.” Some enthusiasts even go so far as to suggest that it is better strategically than the Old! I am not so sure about that, but it certainly has plenty of strong holes and would be a stand-out course if it were situated almost anywhere else on its own.

After a reasonably gentle start, particularly on a less windy day, the test of golf really kicks in at the stroke index one, par-4 6th. This runs in the opposite direction to the rest of the front nine, facing back towards the town, and is a full 445 yards with an extremely narrow fairway. If you manage to avoid the gorse lining either side, you still face a long approach towards a difficult green with a tricky run-off to the left.

Many people, including me, consider the standout hole to be the excellent, long par-3 which closes the front nine. This tough ‘short’ hole skirts the water’s edge on its way to a partially sunken green. Anything heading too far left from the tee is likely to disappear onto the beach or into the sea.

If you’ve managed a par here, which I don't think I have, you immediately face another of the toughest two-shotters on the course. All the way, the holes are lined by the trademark St Andrews gorse, there are more scarily narrow fairways in places, plenty of pot bunkers and some tricky, sloping greens.

As with all of the courses at St Andrews, the New is presented in superb condition just about all year. The playing surfaces are consistently as good as you will find at any links course in the country. It may be overlooked a little due to its superstar neighbour, but St Andrews New is a very fine test that more than deserves to be treated with respect.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...

Christian Morris

I always think I like the New Course, then I play it and feel a little underwhelmed until I remind myself that it actually is a decent course, set in the most beautiful golfing town in the world. 1895 hardly counts as a New course, but she has grown old with refinement and dignity.

Gillian Christie

It has frequently been said that if the New Course were not situated next to the Old, then its star would have shone with a far greater degree of brilliance. I would agree with this sentiment and it’s worth a visit for any golfer looking for a challenge.

St Andrews Location

St Andrews New Course Scorecard

Best Courses Close to St Andrews

KINGSBARNS

Kingsbarns opened for play in 2000, and rather than a standard out-and-back routing, there are three sections to the modern links. The main body is home to the majority of the holes, the clubhouse and extensive practice facilities, and two wings are home to holes two to five and twelve to fifteen.

DUMBARNIE LINKS

Like Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart, this fabulous new Clive Clark design is effectively a pay and play. It is a wonderful addition to Fife’s immense golfing artillery and is a brilliant blend of the old and the new. Risk and reward features strongly, as do the views both over the course and out over the Firth of Forth.

Best Places To Stay Close to St Andrews

The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews - Book now at Booking.com

Overlooking the famous Road Hole on the Old Course, this fine hotel features a luxury spa and award-winning restaurant. The refurbished bedrooms have sumptuous décor and modern bathrooms.

Fairmont St Andrews - Book now at Booking.com

This 5-star hotel has two very enjoyable courses of its own, the Torrance and the Kittocks, and there is a complimentary shuttle service to the town centre. The large rooms are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and modern bathrooms with heated floors.

St Andrews New Course Gallery

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Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

• 2025/26 - 76
• 2023/24 - 75
• 2021/22 - 70
• 2019/20 - 65
• 2017/18 - 65
• 2015/16 - 67
• 2013/14 - 66
• 2011/12 - 60
• 2009/10 - 54

Frequently Asked Questions