St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer

From $17.73 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (16-101) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Child (5-15) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Please select a travel date and travelers to show booking options.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Professional local guide/historian - 1980s Old Course 1A Professional Caddie
Public tour (not private!) - small group size 10 to 15 persons approx
Professionally taken photo on the Swilkan Bridge (excludes tournament days)

Overview

These are bucket list award-winning tours with Richard Falconer, author, historian, guide and 1980s Pro A1 Old Course Caddie. Aimed primarily at those with a more in-depth interest in golf, you will learn about the origins and the development of both the game and the Old Course through a timeline spanning the 13th to 20th century, plus the Open history and the Dunhill, finishing with a photo shoot on the iconic Swilkan Bridge (excludes tournament days). Hear memorable Road Hole moments and gain recommendations for a few more things on the bucket list to do while here, including the Himalayas and the Jigger Inn. Round off your tour by the Old Course Jigger Inn. Sundays - Walk on the Old Course fairway - excludes championship/tournament days) No tours from December to February *Check the booking calendar for availability Tours endorsed by famed Golf historian David Joy.

Itinerary

N/A

Meet Richard outside front of hotel for the start of your shared tour. Please don't be late as these public tours will not wait. Tour start: Gain an overview of town history leading to 1123 Links charter.

5 minutes
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Discover the origins and early development of the game of golf, from 13th-century stick and ball in the Low Countries to Edinburgh in 1744 and why St Andrews is the Home of Golf.

10 minutes
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews

Learn about how Old Course development also developed the game of golf, where fairways and bunkers come from, golfing moments and Old Tom and my old Caddie Shack!

15 minutes
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The Open Championship, Dunhill Cup, further course development from 12, 10 to 18 holes and important sites around the 18th.

15 minutes
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The 1st/18th fairway and farmers, Rusacks Hotel, the Mannings, original 1st tee and 18th hole, how early caddies and ladies caused Old Tom to create the world's first putting green!

10 minutes
N/A

Photo shoot on one of the most iconic landmarks in the game of golf, and one of the most photographed bridges in the world. Excludes tournament days - Dunhill, Open etc.

10 minutes
The Jigger Inn

Hear about some of the jaw-dropping golfing moments at the Road Hole - the 17th green of the Old Course, then finish the tour near the famed Old Course Jigger Inn for refreshments (not included).

10 minutes

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Families welcome. Under 5s free but not suitable for under 2s
A fluent command of English is essential for all participants. Speaking slowly or translating does not work.
Not suitable for Baby strollers/carriages
Not suitable for Crutches, walking frames, mobility scooters
There is nowhere to leave any of the above and golf clubs etc while on tour, so make alternative arrangements
As part of your tour, you will be by the Old Course and walk across the 1st/18th fairway. You will do this at your own risk and you must keep an eye out for golf balls during live play!
Not suitabe for those with new knee/hip replacements, sprainked ankles etc.

Free Cancellation

April 25100% refund

April 26No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.7

87 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

70
4 stars

9
3 stars

5
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 70 reviews with 5 stars

We went on a Sunday and...

Published on Mar, 2025

We went on a Sunday and got to walk on the greens! Once in a lifetime experience! It was also fascinating to see the beach with huge waves right next to the course.

Visit to St Andrews

Published on Dec, 2024

We had a great time. The host was extremely knowledgeable and it was great to walk around and see the famous1st/18th holes. Would recommend!

Visit to St Andrews

Published on Dec, 2024

We had a great time. The host was extremely knowledgeable and it was great to walk around and see the famous1st/18th holes. Would recommend!

Visit to St Andrews

Published on Dec, 2024

We had a great time. The host was extremely knowledgeable and it was great to walk around and see the famous1st/18th holes. Would recommend!

Excellent tour - informative and entertaining

Published on Nov, 2024

What a great tour! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable, but also injected the whole tour with humour and interesting tales from his experience as a professional caddie. It covered from the early development of the game, from "kolf" through to modern times and rules. It also covered the development of the course at St Andrews through the ages, as well as general history of the town itself, and particularly the buildings around the course. The tour finished at the Jigger Inn which was a welcome respite from the cold wind and where we had a very tasty lunch! If you're looking for a tour and have any interest in golf at all, even just as a spectator, then this tour is guaranteed to entertain.

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