There are few places in sport as recognisable as the Old Course. Its fairways run through the centre of St Andrews like a public right of way, shared by dog walkers and championship golfers alike. First played over in the early 15th century, the course has evolved through use, not just design, with Old Tom Morris playing a central role in shaping it into the form known today. His work in the 1860s re-routed bunkers, extended holes, and added subtle definition to what had once been a more fluid and undefined piece of land.

This isn’t a course built to impress with flash or grandeur. It requires course knowledge, careful angles, and a good understanding of how the ball moves across firm, wind-burnished ground. There’s strategy from the first hole to the last. The double greens, shared by two holes each, make for unique approach decisions, while features like the Road Hole bunker and the Swilcan Bridge have taken on lives of their own—both photograph traps and real hazards.

Unlike most elite courses, the Old Course remains open to the public, with ballot and booking systems designed to give locals and visitors alike the chance to play. It still hosts The Open on a regular cycle, and despite the lengthening of modern clubs and balls, the course continues to test the best without major changes. The challenge lies in the conditions and the thinking, not just the yardage.

The influence of the Old Course reaches far beyond Fife. Its template has been copied around the world, from routing concepts to green shapes. But what can’t be replicated is the weight of its history—the feeling of walking down the same holes where generations of champions and everyday players have tried their luck. It’s not a museum piece. It’s living ground, open to anyone with a tee time and a steady nerve.

Part of the Old Tom Morris Trail, the Old Course represents both the beginning and the enduring heart of Morris’s contribution to golf. It’s here that he worked, played, and left a lasting mark on how the game would be played for centuries.

Trail details at oldtommorristrail.com.