After sixty years of golfing, I’ve learned a few things—how to find a ball in the rough, how to recover from a bad shot in the trees, and how to keep coming back for more. But one thing I hadn’t done was play the Old Course at St. Andrews. It was time to fix that.
The Old Course is widely recognized as the birthplace of the game, where people first began hitting a small ball with sticks across open pastureland for recreation. Over centuries, golf evolved into the structured game we know today, including the familiar 18-hole format. Scotland is not only the birthplace of golf, but also home to hundreds of outstanding courses, drawing thousands of American golfers each year.
As I began exploring travel options, I had a few key criteria. First, I wanted to guarantee a tee time at the Old Course, which is no small task. Unlike most courses, it does not simply sell all of its tee times in advance—many are allocated through a lottery system. During peak season, many golfers make the trip only to miss out and end up as spectators rather than players.
I also wanted to avoid the challenge of driving on the left side of the road while navigating unfamiliar routes between courses. Housing was another concern, as was traveling as a single golfer. Would I be able to connect with others and share the experience? While I enjoy meeting new people and don’t mind golfing alone, part of the joy of travel is having others to share it with.
After some research, I found an excellent option with Scotland for Golf. Their St. Andrews Classic, a season-opening event, immediately caught my attention. The Classic brings together 32 golfers for a four-course experience, culminating at the Old Course. At first, I assumed it might be a highly competitive event for elite players. But after learning more and exchanging emails with their staff, I realized the participants were much like me—golfers of varying abilities simply looking to enjoy the experience.
While scores were kept to recognize achievement and encourage improvement, the emphasis was clearly on enjoyment rather than competition. I was initially hesitant about traveling in early April, wondering if waiting until May or June might bring better weather. But I was reminded that in Scotland, weather doesn’t change much month to month—it changes hour to hour. So I decided to “go for it,” much like taking on a risky shot over a hazard. It turned out to be the right decision—we had excellent conditions throughout the trip.
The five-day St. Andrews Classic package included accommodations at the Old Course Hotel, airport transportation, and play on four outstanding courses, with the final round at the Old Course. Everything was exceptionally well organized. The staff at Scotland for Golf created a welcoming and seamless experience from start to finish.
The Old Course Hotel itself could not be more ideally located—it sits right beside the course, famously along the 17th Road Hole, where golfers drive over part of the hotel to reach the fairway. The accommodations, service, and meals were all exceptional.
Each course we played offered something unique. While I’ve played courses with more manicured conditions, faster greens, or more dramatic scenery, Scottish links courses deliver a distinctive combination of history, challenge, and natural beauty that is unmatched. The unpredictable bounces, deep pot bunkers, and rolling terrain make every round both humbling and memorable.
This became one of the most enjoyable golf experiences of my life—not just because of the courses, but because of the people. The structure of the St. Andrews Classic allowed me to connect with others, and I returned home with two dozen new golfing friends.
If you consider yourself a well-traveled golfer, Scotland should absolutely be on your list. And if you’re looking to make the most of the experience, a group like Scotland for Golf can elevate the journey even further.
