Thinking about a pilgrimage to the Home of Golf and wondering if you can walk the sacred fairways yourself? You absolutely can, and it's one of the greatest experiences in all of golf. Unlike most of the world's top courses, which are sealed off behind the high walls of private clubs, St Andrews is remarkably accessible to the public. This article will guide you on how, when, and where you can walk the St Andrews golf courses, with a special focus on the legendary Old Course, so you can make the most of your visit.
In Scotland, a principle of public access, often referred to as the "right to roam," grants people the freedom to walk on most land, including golf courses, as long as they do so responsibly. St Andrews Links is public property, managed by a charitable trust, not a private members' club. This fundamentally changes the visitor experience.
However, this freedom comes with a very important detail: you cannot wander across the course wherever you please while golf is in play. The courses are active, working golf venues, and for obvious safety and etiquette reasons, walkers must give way to golfers. This means sticking to designated public footpaths during play and staying well clear of fairways, greens, and tee boxes. The easiest way to know you're in the right place is to remember that golfers always have the right of way. If you see someone over a ball, stay still, be quiet, and keep a safe distance.
While you can use the adjacent paths any day of the week, there are specific times when the experience of walking the actual course goes from good to unforgettable. Timing your visit is everything.
This is the big one. For generations, the Old Course has closed for golf every Sunday (with the rare exception for a final round of a major tournament like The Open). On this day, the course transforms into a magnificent public park. It’s a tradition that rests the course, respects the local community, and creates an incredible opportunity for golf fans.
On a Sunday, you can:
Entire families, locals walking their dogs (on leads), and tourists from every corner of the globe all share the fairways. The atmosphere is relaxed, joyful, and filled with a shared love for the game. If you can be in St Andrews on a Sunday, do it.
If your trip doesn’t include a Sunday, you can still experience the course on foot. During the long summer evenings in Scotland, golf can be played until 9:00 PM or later. Once the last group of golfers has teed off and is well down the course, it is generally acceptable and safe to take a stroll. The best practice is to check the last tee time for the day (usually posted or available online) and head out about a half-hour after that. While you still want to be respectful and stick to walking the edges of the fairways, this is your next best opportunity to get a feel for the hallowed ground without the Sunday crowds.
So it's Sunday, and you're ready to walk the Old Course. Where do you start? Here’s a simple route that lets you experience the most famous landmarks.
Begin your walk near the R&A Clubhouse and the first tee of the Old Course. The sheer excitement in the air is palpable. You are standing where golf began. Take a moment to soak it in. You can't miss the enormous fairway shared by the 1st and 18th holes. It's an ocean of green.
Head down the right-hand side of the shared fairway, which is the 1st hole. You'll see the Swilcan Burn cutting across the fairway ahead of you. This is your destination. As you approach, you'll see the stone bridge that has connected so many generations of champions. Since you are walking the 1st, the bridge will be over the burn on the 18th fairway side. Carefully cross the 1st fairway to get your photo. Smile, wave, and reflect on the history beneath your feet.
The Old Course features a unique layout: the first nine holes go "out" away from the town, and the back nine come "in," playing back towards it, with many of the fairways crossing over. After your photo on the bridge, you could continue walking out the 2nd and 3rd holes to get a sense of "the loop" section of the course and appreciate how differently the holes look when the flagsticks aren't there.
The most strategic route for your walk is to loop back along the 17th hole. Following the public path that runs along the right side of the 17th (known as the Old Station Road), you'll see the stone wall in play and the Old Course Hotel looming. Walk behind the green and find the Road Hole Bunker. From television, it looks like just another trap. On foot, you'll realize it's a cavernous pit that has swallowed the chances of countless golfers. Standing beside it gives you a healthy respect for any pro who has ever had to escape its clutches.
From the 17th green, it’s a short walk to the 18th tee. Now you can make that final, glorious walk up the 18th fairway. Aim your walk towards the famous clock on the R&A Clubhouse. Pause to appreciate the Valley of Sin, the steep depression in front of the green. It’s far subtler and more challenging than you can imagine. Standing here, with the town surrounding you, is a feeling. It's the perfect way to finish your tour.
Being a respectful visitor ensures this unique tradition can continue for generations. Keep these simple rules in mind.
Walking the Old Course at St Andrews is an experience every golf lover should have. The unique public access, especially on a Sunday, offers an intimate connection to the soul of the game. By understanding the etiquette and timing your visit, you can stroll the same fairways as golf's greatest legends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Walking the hallowed turf is one thing, playing it is another proposition entirely. When you see the strategic complexity of holes like the 17th, it's natural to have questions. For just those moments, I can help. With Caddie AI, you can get instant course strategy on how a pro would approach these legendary shots, or snap a photo of a tricky lie on your own course for immediate advice. It's like having a 24/7 golf expert in your pocket, taking the guesswork out of the game so you can play with more confidence, whether you're at St Andrews or your home club.
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