St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
St. Andrews, Scotland
- 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
This small-group tour offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the world of golf, all centered around the iconic Old Course. Hear captivating stories about The Open, learn about Nike’s marketing campaigns, and enjoy fun anecdotes about celebrities, such as Sean Connery. With a professional caddie guide who worked at the Old Course in the 1980s, you can uncover fascinating facts and insider stories you wouldn’t hear otherwise.
- Save the research time: Learn about the history of St Andrews Old Course
- Discover fascinating golf-related stories from your pro caddie guide
- Rare opportunity to walk across the fairway of the Old Course
- A small group means more attention from your guide
What's Included
- Professional local guide
- Professionally taken photos on the Swilkan Bridge (excludes tournament days)
- We also have a private tour on Viator: Private St Andrews Old Course History Tour
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Hotel du Vin St Andrews40 The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AS, UK
Meeting point: Hotel du Vin, 40 The Scores, St Andrews. Richard will see you outside the front of the Hotel for your shared tour. Please be on time as these public tours will not wait. The hotel is also open to the public for refreshments (not included).
End point
- Swilcan Bridge17 The Links, St Andrews KY16 9JE, UK
Tours finish at the Road Hole, 17th, near the famed Old Course Jigger Inn, where you can relax with beverages and food by the 17th fairway (not included).
Itinerary
1
Hotel du Vin St Andrews
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
The Links
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Grannie Clark's Wynd
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Rusacks St Andrews
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Swilcan Bridge
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
The Jigger Inn
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Tours not suitable for under 5s
- A fluent command of English is essential for all participants. Speaking slowly or translating does not work.
- Not suitable for 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
- Not suitabe for those with new knee/hip replacements, sprainked ankles etc.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 156 reviews
darren_j, Apr 2026
Exceptional tour! This is a must for any golfer but with a lot of relevant information for the non golf fan as well. The guide did an excellent job of weaving the history of the town with the history of golf and the Old Course. He also was gracious and took plenty of photos of my wife and I which we will cherish since we normally only get selfies! One note: if you drive to St Andrew’s do not forget to pay for parking! A parking ticket will cost you 100 pounds as opposed to 4 pounds in the payment machines. The parking payment machines are along the sidewalks as you head towards the course. If you head directly to the link up point you will not see the pay machines. I recommend the tour company add that information to their description.
Annette_M, Apr 2026
Playing St. Andrew’s was a dream for my husband. Alas, simply visiting had to suffice. We did so with a lovely tour of the Old Course, including tons of interesting background and stories. Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable.
Tim_D, Mar 2026
My guide shared so much interesting information. I loved the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know the history of The Old Course
Kyle_P, Mar 2026
Mike was so helpful and knowledgeable about everything at the Old Course. Was such a great experience.
Dawna_K, Nov 2025
Our guide was a retired caddie from the old course and soooooo knowledgeable. He was a great story teller and could answer all of our questions. It was a great experience especially for my husband who was in awe of everything. it was great for me who knows nothing about golf AND my husband who is a golfer.
Donna_B, Oct 2025
This tour was excellent for both the golfers and non-golfers in our family. Lots of history - both old and recent, filled with facts, great photo opportunities. We toured in Sunday, so we’re able to walk the course without interrupting play. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Tour is at a pace thats comfortable with frequent stops to learn. This was a bucket list tour for my husband and didn’t disappoint!
JamesP_B, Oct 2025
Perfect amount of time good direction on how to experience the Old Course after tour was complete . 1 good time
Ron_R, Sep 2025
The amount of history given in such a short period of time was staggering!!! Thank you Richard for the interesting history lesson!!
Michelle_S, Sep 2025
This guy is so knowledgeable about history and the golf course! He doesn’t waste time for pictures (only when we did not have to wait around). He was entertaining as well!
Mary_F, Sep 2025
The tour guide talked very fast and of the 4 of us, 1 of us maintained interest. That was only because he is a Golf Professional. The Pics on the Swilkin Bridge was the highlight. The information was interesting but hard to keep up with. Would do it again with another tour guide.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
As it mentions on all correspondence, you need a very good command of the English language for this tour. Talking slowely or translating does not work.
Lisa_W, Sep 2025
He tied legend into reality, which was an amazing attribute or amazing thing to hear about Saint Andrews. Highly recommend it was a wonderful tour. The chance of a lifetime and our guide was wonderful.
Cynthia_P, Sep 2025
Nice enough guy, but definitely had a spiel. Spoke very rapidly and didn’t invite questions. Everywhere you go is accessible to the public as long as you don’t interrupt play (marshals will instruct you). Was just OK, while I learned a few things, info conveyed could have been done in half the time.
Vincent_T, Sep 2025
Richard was our guide and his knowledge and experience as a caddy really added to our tour of the Old Course. His knowledge and ability to tell the story of the history of the Old Course and golf provided a new appreciation even for the experience amateur golfer. He has a Great sense of humor and true appreciation for the history of the Old Course and game of golf which he passed on to the group; we loved stories he shared of his experiences over the years —really and informative and fun afternoon!
Jim_W, Sep 2025
Never received the tickets. When We went to retrieve the tickets we got a message something went wrong oops try again. We tried repeatedly but were unable to get the tickets. I called the service centre but with the time change it was closed. I will be following up with Viator when we return home to Canada
Christine_S, Sep 2025
Guide was very knowledgeable and comical with his story telling. Rug up as it can be dam cold when the weather changes, like it did with us. It was good fun.
Susan_J, Sep 2025
Enjoyed a stroll around Hole 1 and 18 on the Old Course learning about course history and fun tidbits.
Phil_H, Sep 2025
Starr with some history of St Andrews and then history of golf. Walk along 18 green, 1st tee and then down to Swilcan Bridge. Good info, not a long walk.
Ingrid_C, Sep 2025
Richard our guide was an interesting character. He didn’t really like answering questions as he had his own agenda.
Lisa_S, Sep 2025
Fun walking tour with knowledgeable guide. Got some good pictures in front of landmarks. Was a little over an hour great way to see the course
Stacey_K, Aug 2025
Richard was awesome. Knows his stuff. Shares his great pictures and took pictures for everyone in our group
Cheran_L, Aug 2025
Learnt a lot of new facts about the old course tour was very informative, with humour added in to make the tour a fun time . Would highly recommend this tour to the keen golfer to have knowledge and insight to
This amazing course . Richard was such a great what is tour director
Frank_H, Aug 2025
Richard, the tour guide was great. Very knowledgeable and a great since of humor and personality. We had a great time.
Julie_V, Aug 2025
Our guide Richard was very informative and a wicked sense of humour which we enjoyed. Great walking tour
Katrina_L, Jun 2025
This was an excellent tour. At the beginning we had a hard time hearing our tour guide because his head was turned facing the opposite direction of where we were situated. It wasn’t a huge deal, because once we got on the course, we were able to hear him well. This was well worth this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Gary_P, Jun 2025
Richard was very informative. As well as golf history, we learned the history of St Andrews. It was great
Barbara_S, Jun 2025
Great overall tour of the course with history of golf and the area. My husband was thrilled with this tour
Lisa_S, Jun 2025
We really appreciated the tour guide giving us ear buds so that we could hear him no matter where we stood. He was very knowledgeable about the course, golf, and history of St. Andrew’s.
David_A, Jun 2025
The guide is very friendly and a true local expert. I appreciated that he had attendees intro themselves and where they were from.
Jodie_D, Jun 2025
Our tour guide was very knowledgable about the history of golf as well as information about St Andrews golf. Really enjoyed!
PennyCastello, May 2025
My husband is a golfer, so we made special trip from Edinburgh to St. Andrews. This tour was interesting even for someone not a golfer. Beautiful scenery. Guide was very informative & funny! Highly recommend!
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