The world’s oldest and most iconic golf course, the Old Course is imbued with 600 years of golf history. Its location, legacy and renowned course features make it a pleasure to play, further enhanced by its landmark Swilcan Bridge and associations with Old Tom Morris.

The New Course was created in 1895 by Old Tom Morris and Benjamin Hall Blythe to help alleviate overcrowding on the Old Course. It’s described as a tighter and more defined course than its famous neighbour and considered a classic test of links golf, with undulating fairways and challenging greens.

Originally a 12-hole course designed for women and beginners, Jubilee was extended to 18 holes in 1897 and is said to be the most challenging at St Andrews Links. Its location between the New Course and the sea creates demanding golf terrain: indeed, it was converted to Championship layout in 1988 for this very reason.

The newest addition to the St Andrews family opened in 2008 and is set on a rugged hilltop with incredible views over the town. Despite its man-made origins this 18-hole gem blends beautifully with its linksland counterparts and provides a sometimes tricky but always scenic round of golf.

Described as a ‘course full of character’, Eden opened in 1914 and its contoured greens, designed to promote drainage, set the benchmark for modern putting surface design. Created by Harry Colt, Eden is considered the most undulating of all St Andrews’ courses, with sloping greens and plenty of humps, hollows and bunkers to create dynamic play.

The prestigious Kingsbarns can trace its origins back over 200 years and is without doubt a ‘bucket list’ course for many. Only seven miles from St Andrews, the course is set along 1.8 miles of coastline which can be admired from seven holes played alongside the sea. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the generous greens, wide fairways and wild sea vistas offer a thrilling experience for players of all abilities.

Just 20 minutes’ drive south from St Andrews is Elie Golf Club, located in East Neuk on ancient golfing turf – the game has been played here since the 15th century. It’s renowned for undulating fairways, large, fast greens and strategically placed bunkers, all of which combine to create a superb golf experience in a stunning coastal setting.

Founded in 1817 and designed under the tutelage of Old Tom Morris and later James Braid, Scotscraig is located around 20 minutes’ north of St Andrews in Tayport. It’s a unique mix of heathland and linksland and has remained relatively unchanged since James Braid’s redesign in 1923, with large, rolling greens and cleverly placed bunkers offering a serious but fair challenge to all golfers.

For a tricky inland test of skill, head over to Ladybank, just 30 minutes’ drive from St Andrews. Designed in 1879 by Old Tom Morris, the classic heathland course has remained relatively unchanged and is considered one of the finest inland layouts in the British Isles. Measuring 6,800 yards from the medal tees it makes superb use of its landscape, testing even the most accomplished players with its small and often contoured greens.

On the southern side of the Fife coast, around 30 minutes from St Andrews, you’ll find Lundin Links, another of Tom Morris’ creations. The original course from 1868 was later redesigned by James Braid in 1909, who added a further nine holes above the railway. It’s been selected multiple times as a qualifying course for The Open Championship, perhaps due to the challenge it poses: burns, blind drives, narrow fairways and ever-changing winds make for an unpredictable game.

Dumbarnie is a short drive from St Andrews to Leven and offers an incredible player experience. Developed and designed by notable course architect Clive Clark, this 18 hole, linksland course boasts 14 holes with breathtaking views over the Firth of Forth, possible due to its dual elevation landscape.

One of Scotland’s oldest links, Leven has hosted golf since the 19th century and is thought to be the first course in the world with 18 tees and 18 separate greens. Ancient dune ridges shape its rolling fairways, joined by fast greens, burns and pot bunkers, while six turns as an Open Championship Final Qualifying venue speak to its enduring test.

Balgove is the only nine-hole course at this site and is perfect for beginners, families and children. It was completed in 1972, remodelled in 1993 and offers a wonderful introduction to links golf with a double green and bunkers.

Designed by Donald Steel, this course opened in 1993 and complements the more challenging Championship courses in this group. Its 15 bunkers, although few in number, are strategically placed, while its large greens feature slopes and borrows that demand skilful putting.

Golf has been played at Balcomie since the 19th century, with much of today’s course laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895. Natural hollows, stone walls, shared greens and bunkers faced with old railway sleepers give this historic links a character all its own, with a layout that rarely plays the same way twice.