Most golf trips to Scotland begin with the St Andrews golf course. The town sits on the east coast facing the North Sea and has been associated with the game for centuries. Visitors often pause beside the Swilcan Bridge on the Old Course or stand near the Road Hole bunker to see some of the most photographed moments in golf.
South of the St Andrews golf course lies the East Neuk of Fife, a stretch of coastline known for fishing villages and working harbours.
This combination of historic golf and coastal villages makes the St Andrews golf course area one of Scotland’s most recognisable travel destinations.
Visiting St Andrews and the Famous St Andrews Golf Course United Kingdom
Travelling to the St Andrews golf course in the United Kingdom is straightforward. Edinburgh is the nearest major city and the drive usually takes about ninety minutes. Trains run regularly to Leuchars station, which sits a short taxi ride from the centre of St Andrews.
The town itself is compact. The Old Course sits beside the centre and the nearby streets of Market Street and North Street contain cafés, golf shops, and traditional pubs. Visitors often walk along the fairways during the evening once play has finished.
Getting a tee time at a St Andrews golf course requires planning. The Old Course ballot allows visitors to apply two days before they want to play. Some golfers also book authorised travel packages months before travelling.
Solo golfers can also try the Singles Daily Draw. This digital application process allows individual players to join existing groups on the Old Course. Entries must be made in person at the Old Pavilion or the Links Clubhouse on the day before play.
Weather plays a major role in the experience of St Andrews golf UK. Wind coming off the North Sea can change conditions quickly, which means the course rarely plays the same way twice.
Visitors interested in the town’s background can read more in our Welcome to St Andrews guide.
Golf Courses in St Andrews: The St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club and The New Golf Club St Andrews
The reputation of the St Andrews golf course comes from a collection of courses located beside the town. The Old Course receives most attention, though it sits within the wider St Andrews Links network. One of the most well known holes is the seventeenth on the Old Course, known as the Road Hole, where players drive over the corner of the Old Course Hotel before approaching a narrow green beside a public road.
The St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club played a central role in shaping the modern rules of golf. Today the R&A governs the sport worldwide outside the United States and Mexico. Its famous clubhouse overlooks the eighteenth fairway of the Old Course.
Another historic institution nearby is the New Golf Club St Andrews, which was founded during the nineteenth century as more golfers began travelling to the town. The clubhouse sits close to the first tee and continues to operate as a members club.
Several additional golf courses St Andrews form part of the Links. These include the New Course, the Jubilee Course, the Eden Course, the Strathtyrum Course, the Balgove Course, and the Castle Course. The Castle Course sits on cliffs east of town and offers views across the North Sea.
Together these layouts create the wider St Andrews golf course network that attracts golfers from across the world.
When play finishes each evening, parts of the Links open for walking. On Sundays the Old Course closes for golf and becomes public parkland where locals walk dogs and visitors wander across the fairways.
Exploring the East Neuk of Fife Villages Near the St Andrews Golf Courses
Visitors who travel to the St Andrews golf course often spend time exploring the nearby East Neuk coastline.
Crail is the closest village to St Andrews. Its small harbour remains active with local fishing boats and the surrounding stone buildings reflect centuries of maritime history. You can read more in Exploring the Charm of Crail, Fife.
Anstruther lies a short distance further south and contains the largest harbour in the East Neuk. Visitors walk along the harbour walls while fishing boats return from the North Sea. The Scottish Fisheries Museum beside the harbour explains the industry that shaped the region.
Pittenweem continues to operate as a fishing port where lobster boats leave the harbour early each morning. The village also hosts an annual arts festival that attracts visitors from across Scotland.
Elie sits at the southern end of the East Neuk. Its beach faces the Firth of Forth and attracts swimmers during warmer months. Some travellers combine a visit here with their trip to the St Andrews golf course United Kingdom.
Map of the East Neuk of Fife and Nearby Attractions Close to St Andrews Golf UK
The East Neuk coastline stretches roughly twenty miles south of St Andrews. Most villages lie within a short drive of the town, which makes the region easy to explore during a stay.
A typical route begins in St Andrews before following the coastal road through Crail and Anstruther. The road then continues toward Pittenweem, St Monans, and Elie.
Kingsbarns sits only a few miles outside town and is known for its modern links course and whisky distillery. Visitors interested in whisky can read more in our guide to Kingsbarns Distillery.
The coastline also forms part of the Fife Coastal Path, which connects many of these villages through a long walking route.
Top Restaurants in the East Neuk of Fife and St Andrews
Seafood appears frequently on menus across the East Neuk because boats still land their catch along this coastline.
One well known stop is the harbour side Lobster Hut in Crail. Fishermen cook lobster and crab beside the harbour walls and visitors often eat outside while watching boats move through the harbour entrance. More details can be found in Lobster Hut Crail: Your Destination for Fresh Seafood.
St Andrews offers a wider range of restaurants including traditional pubs and modern dining rooms. Many golfers finish their round at a St Andrews golf course before heading into town for dinner.
For more options see The Best 20 St Andrews Restaurants.
Plan Your Visit to St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife Now
A visit centred on the St Andrews golf course often leads travellers to explore the surrounding coastline as well. The courses around St Andrews represent one of the most historic locations in golf, while the nearby villages show how communities along the North Sea continue to operate.
Visitors often spend the morning playing a round at a St Andrews golf course before driving along the coastal road to explore the East Neuk villages during the afternoon.
For travellers planning a stay in the region, Premier Stays Fife offers accommodation across St Andrews and the East Neuk coastline. The local team manages each property and supports guests throughout their visit, helping them explore this part of Scotland with confidence.
Browse the Premier Stays Fife collection and start looking forward to your St Andrews and East Neuk of Fife trip.
