The Burn (1st), St Andrews Old Course; chosen by Rob Lee
Tuesday 12 July 2016 10:16, UK
The course
The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous golf course in the world and the Mecca to which every golfer aspires to make a pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime. Here lies the spiritual home of the game. It is here where the rules and standards of golf have long since been set down.
There is nowhere like it in the world never mind Scotland. Just to stand on that tee in front of the town and the most famous building in golf, you are awestruck by the sense of history and golfing lore. Fortunately you have half of the county of Fife to land your tee shot into to ease you into your round. And there is always a local or two around that want to be impressed, they've seen it all.
This St Andrews golf course is the classic seaside links although the sea is seldom in view, other than at the first and last holes. The fairways are wide with immense double greens and some of the fiercest bunkering to be found on any golf course. The greatest feature of the Old Course is that despite its grand status, it remains a public golf course open to all.
The hole
The 1st hole at St Andrews Old Course is always a slightly unnerving tee shot, even for experienced golfers, despite the widest fairway in golf. This is a fairly short par four named Burn after the famed Swilcan Burn which guards the green. It is advised to use a long iron off the tee that leaves a favourable approach shot at the flag. Anything short will get gobbled up by the burn. It's a fairly soft opening hole but often dependent on the wind. It's not easy to make it in three but relatively easy to make four, provided the occasion doesn't get the better of you.
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Golf in Fife
Fife offers more than 45 golf courses, making it a great place for getting started or sharpening your golfing skills. As well as the Old Course, there are 10 other courses in St Andrews where you can also take a swing. The New Course is, oddly, more than a century old and was designed by 'Old' Tom Morris.
In addition to the stunning courses of St Andrews, the region of Fife has many other magnificent courses to choose from. The likes of Ladybank Golf Club, Lundin Golf Links and Scotscraig Golf Course all offer an exceptional game. A more recent addition to Fife's golf is Kingsbarns, which was immediately praised as one of the region's finest courses.
You can also experience the game of a bygone era and try golfing with a difference. Kingarrock Golf Course is the only place in Europe where you can play hickory golf with old wooden shafted golf clubs.
Take advantage of the First in Fife Golf pass for affordable golf with the option of either a three or five-round ticket (from £63) on a choice of 13 courses. For more on golf in Fife click here.
19th hole and beyond
A surprisingly compact region of remarkable variety offering more than just world class golf, The Kingdom of Fife will greet you with colourful fishing villages that are framed by glorious beaches which sweep the coastline, and miles of peaceful countryside nestled inland.