I am currently planning my Scotland itinerary. I plan on spending one night in St. Andrews. How much can you see of the old course, club house, etc. In other words how much and what can someone see of the old course who does not plan to play. I will be there in mid May 05 when it will more than likely be closed for repair for the Open Championship. Any experiences viewing the course without playing will be appreciated. Thanks

I was there several years ago, and the course was totally closed on Sundays. People were walking the course with their families ect.. I believe the same is true today. The Open Championship is not played until mid July so the course will be opened in mid May. Have a great trip !!! Mike

The Old Course is closed to golf on Sundays. You are free to walk it anytime--just keep out of the golfers way. There is a guided tour also, for a couple of quid. The first tee time is 6:30am, so you could walk ahead of that group and have the run of the whole course.

The R & A clubhouse is off limits unless you are accompanied by a member. There is a nice clubhouse for the Old and New courses, located about 1/2 mile west of the R & A. Also, there is a clubhouse for the Eden Course located by the practice facility adjacent to the 15th and 16th holes of the Old Course. Both of these clubhouses are open to visitors and have dining facilities.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover
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As the others say - if you are in St Andrews on a Sunday you can walk the entire course and even hop into Hell Bunker and walk across the Swilken Burn w/o having to watch out for golf balls. More important to watch out for kids and dogs using the course as a vast public park.

If you are there on a weekday you can still get around the course - just be really careful.

At the time of your visit, the Old Course will not yet be closed preliminary to the Open Championship

Go to the Old Course Hotel and to the bar on the first floor. All you ever wanted to know. Don't be put off by the fact the hotel looks like a block of concrete.

The Jigger Inn next to the OLd Course Hotel (and adjacent to the 17th Road Hole) is a good choice for libations and a chance to watch "the dogged victims of inexorable fate" try to conquer the most famous par 4 in the world.

The Golf Museum behind the R & A clubhouse is worthy of a visit.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

Just a thought:
If you feel obligated to give golfie pals a St. Andrews golf souvenier (cap, towel,stamped balls, etc)they are available all over Edinburgh in tourist shops.Check the side streets (to the right) north of the train station and the Balmoral Hotel in new town. A couple great golf shops with the goods mentioned. Golfers in Scotland (and the golf shops) can't believe the US golfers (especially from Calif or Hawaii) have the slightest interest in Scottish golf! They think the US courses are so much more superior! Well, then there's historic value!

I'm not sure that Deloris is QUITE right in this assertion:-
>Golfers in Scotland can't believe the >US golfers have the slightest interest >in Scottish golf! They think the US >courses are so much more superior!

I don't think I've ever heard ANYONE express that view. EVER

I agree with Shelia 100 PERCENT !!! Mike

I agree 1000 PER CENT!! Not to be rude (well, maybe a little) here, but "They think the US courses are so much more superior!" may be one of the silliest things said on here in a long, long while.