The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to St Andrews, Scotland

For first-time visitors and even those who’ve visited St. Andrews previously, here is some exceptional insider advice on what to expect, how to play, and where to celebrate during this bucket-list visit.

1. You can download the FREE official app (St. Andrews Links—The Home of Golf) for iPhone and Android.
   
2. Caddie Fees at St. Andrews Links courses are 75 UK pounds per bag and caddies carry only one bag. Generally, gratuities start at 35 pounds per bag and up, so plan on paying £110-125 per bag including gratuity in cash directly to the caddie.

3. Always remember your handicap app on your phone or print out of your USGA handicap for the Old Course as they will check each player! The handicap maximum is 36.

4. Battery-operated trollies cost 20 Pounds to rent and manually operated trollies are 6 Pounds. Trollies are permitted on the Old Course after 12:00 noon each day (never in the morning.)

5. Club rentals start at 35 pounds and many are as much as 50 pounds in town. The price range is from 35 to 50 pounds depending on the rental facility. Few people will venture to the new clubhouse to rent clubs and then walk back because it’s much more convenient to rent near the hotels.

6. On the Old Course, keep the ball left 90% of the time because the trouble is on the right.  Your caddie will point out the other 10%.

7. For those totally new to links golf, the St. Andrews Links Golf Academy offers a comprehensive three-hour long session on playing links golf. The cost is 225 Pounds per person.