The Old Course at St Andrews is a world-famous golf course located in the town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. It is widely considered to be the "home of golf" and is one of the oldest golf courses in the world, with a documented history dating back to the 15th century.
The Old Course has hosted many major golf tournaments, including The Open Championship, which it has hosted 29 times since 1873. The course has a unique layout, with a series of 18 holes that criss-cross over each other and are played in two loops, clockwise and counterclockwise.
One of the most famous holes on the Old Course is the 17th, known as the "Road Hole". It is a par-4 hole that measures 495 yards from the championship tees and requires a tee shot over the corner of the Old Course Hotel. The green is located at the end of a narrow road and is guarded by a large bunker, making it one of the most challenging holes in golf.
The Old Course is also known for its landmarks, including the Swilcan Bridge, which crosses the first and 18th fairways, and the Hell Bunker, a large, deep bunker on the 14th hole. In addition to the Old Course, there are six other golf courses in St Andrews, making it a mecca for golfers from around the world.
The Old Course is open to the public for play, but tee times are highly sought after and can be difficult to secure. Golfers can also take a tour of the course and visit the St Andrews Links Museum, which tells the story of golf in St Andrews and features a collection of historic golf artifacts.