The Home of Golf
Golf in Fife. Golf in its homeland. Golf at its finest.
Take that magical first swing on a world-renowned tee. Sink a putt on legendary greens. Experience golf in its natural, historic environment.
Golf has a rich history in Fife, Scotland, with the region being considered the birthplace of the sport. Fife is home to several renowned golf courses and has played a significant role in the development and popularization of golf throughout the centuries. The origins of golf in Fife can be traced back to the 15th century. The game was initially played on the eastern coast of Scotland, where the sandy dunes provided ideal terrain for the sport. Fife's coastal towns, such as St Andrews, Crail, and Leven, became early centers for golfing activity. St Andrews, located in Fife, is widely regarded as the spiritual home of golf. The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in the world. It dates back to the 15th century and has hosted numerous important tournaments, including The Open Championship, which is one of golf's major championships. In the 16th century, King James IV of Scotland became an avid golfer and helped popularize the sport further. He is said to have played golf at Falkland Palace, a royal residence in Fife. Golf continued to gain popularity among the Scottish nobility and gradually spread to other parts of the country. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Fife witnessed a surge in golf course construction. The region became known for its links courses, which are characterized by their natural coastal landscapes. In addition to St Andrews, other notable golf courses in Fife include Kingsbarns, Crail Golfing Society, and Elie Golf Club. Fife's golfing heritage was further solidified with the establishment of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1754. The club played a crucial role in standardizing the rules of golf and has been instrumental in shaping the modern game. Today, Fife remains a popular destination for golf enthusiasts from around the world. Its historic courses, picturesque landscapes, and deep-rooted golfing traditions continue to attract players of all skill levels. The region's contribution to the history of golf is widely recognized, and Fife's golf courses are considered some of the finest in the world.
Discover Golf’s Ancestral Roots
Find out about over 500 years of golfing history at The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews – and then bring history to life by walking The Old Course on a guided tour with a St Andrews Links expert around the 1st, 17th and 18th holes.
Step back in time to the 1920s by playing 9-holes at Kingarrock, the UK’s only hickory golf course. Visit Dunfermline Golf Club, home club of the two golfers who gave golf - and The 19th Hole - to the USA when they established the St Andrews Golf Club in New York in 1888. And enjoy every step, swing and putt on courses where golf has been played for hundreds of years.
The Facts
Dating back to 1552, the Old Course at St Andrews is the oldest golf course in the world.
Today’s golf can be traced back to St Andrews in 1764, when the rules of the modern game were set by the R&A.
The Old Course regularly hosts The Open, with qualifying rounds taking place on several Fife courses, including Scotscraig, Lundin Links and Ladybank , Fife’s only heathland golf course and one of a handful in Scotland.
Every year, A-List celebrities compete with top golf professionals in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which is held at The Old Course and Kingsbarns.
Other highly-prestigious golf tournaments regularly held on Fife courses include The Senior Open, The Genesis Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Scottish Open.
Fife is a must-play destination – and not only because of the world-famous Old Course at St Andrews.
There are 50 incredible golf courses in the ancient Kingdom of Fife, where nature has perfectly sculpted the landscape for golf. Breathtaking championship links courses stretching along the coastline. Spectacular parkland and heathland courses bordered by lochs, forests and hills. World-class courses created by golf’s greatest players, past and present.
Fife truly is a golfer’s paradise. And it’s every golfer’s paradise. There are courses in Fife for all levels of skill, ability and budget. In Fife, golf’s open to all, with good value, accessible rounds readily available – and a warm welcome waiting at the end of the day in the local golf clubs, pubs and eating places.
11 - 18 July 2027 THE 155TH OPEN
ST ANDREWS
Dating back to 1552, the Old Course at St Andrews is the oldest golf course in the world. The home of golf. An iconic venue synonymous with golf's original Championship. St Andrews will host The Open for the 31st time in 2027, five years on from Cameron Smith triumphing in a historic Championship played in front of record crowds.
It will mark 100 years since legendary amateur Bobby Jones triumphed in The Open at St Andrews in 1927 when his six-shot margin of victory saw him successfully defend the title he won the previous year at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, said: “I’m hugely excited to be making this my first announcement at The R&A. I’m looking forward to The Open’s return to St Andrews every bit as much as the fans and the players.
“There is something incredibly special about The Open being played on the Old Course and so many of the great Champions have walked these fairways since the first staging here in 1873.
“St Andrews is the home of golf and it generates a unique atmosphere for the fans and the players as well as providing an amazing spectacle on television and digitally for millions of viewers around the world. It promises to be another milestone occasion at one of sport’s greatest and most historic venues and we will be doing everything we can to make it a memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with The R&A, Scottish Government and VisitScotland to see The Open return to St Andrews in 2027. The 155th Open will be the 31st occasion the Old Course has hosted this great Championship.
“The St Andrews Links Trust golf courses are open to all and are an intrinsic part of this historic town. We look forward to The 155th Open inspiring the journeys of many more golfers who wish to create unforgettable memories at the home of golf.”
The 150th Open at St Andrews generated over £300 million in economic benefit for Fife and Scotland through driving tourism and providing income for local businesses and communities, as well as showcasing the country to a global television audience of over 80 million.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “This is great news for the home of golf. St Andrews is draped in golfing history and prestige, enjoying a global reputation for its prevalence in the game. “The staging of the Championship here in 2027 will have a significant and positive economic impact on the region. We know from independent research that the last ten Opens held in Scotland contributed a total of £1.36 billion to the economy. “Of course, it was just last year that the Scottish Government and VisitScotland agreed a long-term partnership with The R&A to secure The Open’s ties to Scotland for 11 years. I am pleased that this agreement is already paying dividends, showcasing Scotland on the global stage while boosting local economies.” Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, added: “Scotland is proud to host The 155th Open at St Andrews, a global stage that showcases our country and all it has to offer. Events like this are vital to our tourism and events industry; they support local businesses and communities while delivering significant economic and social benefits. “The Open is more than a sporting event. It showcases Scotland’s people, places, and culture while contributing to sustainability, health, and community development. We look forward to working with The R&A, Scottish Government and St Andrew’s Links Trust to welcome golf fans back to Scotland in 2027 and reinforcing Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events.” The Old Course at St Andrews first hosted The Open in 1873 when the 13th Championship was played over an 18-hole course for the first time and was won by Tom Kidd. Since then it has held the Championship on 30 occasions, the most recent being in 2022.
Many of the greatest names in the history of golf have lifted the famous Claret Jug and been crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at St Andrews, including Jones, JH Taylor, James Braid, Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods