ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND

St Andrews Links (Eden Course)

Generous fairways and rolling greens shape a strategic links beside the estuary.

Comment obtenir un départ sur le Old Course

ST ANDREWS Lieu
LINKS Course type
18 TROUS Holes
PAR 70 Par

Beyond the Scorecard

Course established: 1914
Course designer/s:Harry Colt and Donald Steel
Classement national: #62
Known for: Harry Colt's strategic design at St Andrews
Defining feature: St Andrews Links' only inland water hazard

The Quiet Test Beside the Estuary

The Eden Course at St Andrews Links opened in 1914, when Harry Colt was asked to create another full-length course west of the Old, New, and Jubilee. His routing used the existing linksland rather than imposing a severe test, giving the course a more measured character within the wider complex.

Colt's greatest influence appears around the greens. Their pronounced slopes, tiers, and shoulders can turn a straightforward approach into a demanding recovery, while deep pot bunkers make the safest line from the tee worth finding.

The course was altered in the mid-1980s under Donald Steel's masterplan. The first two and final two holes were reconfigured to release ground for Open Championship practice facilities and the tented village, but the central character of Colt's design remained.

One feature has no equivalent elsewhere across St Andrews Links: the pond affecting the 14th and 15th holes. Added during Steel's work, it introduces inland water to a portfolio better known for burns, sand, and wind. Combined with the undulating surfaces and open fairways, it ensures that the Eden rewards control without relying on relentless length.

Why Add This Course to Your Golf Experience

The Eden suits golfers who want a genuine St Andrews Links round with a little more room from the tee. Its fairways are generally generous, but the greens, bunkers, and boundary lines still demand careful approaches.

Its position beside the Eden Clubhouse also makes the day feel removed from the busiest part of the complex. Kinfern can include the course for guests seeking historic architecture, a relaxed setting, and a thoughtful complement to the town's more celebrated links.