If you have a personalized licence plate with a golf acronym, opt for a game the same day as your anniversary or a loved one’s birthday, or watch Golf Channel highlights instead of the evening news, you owe yourself a pilgrimage to the birthplace of golf — St. Andrews, Scotland.

A quaint town located on the east coast of Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews is about 80 kilometres north of Edinburgh. It is bordered by the North Sea and surrounded by open countryside. The town has a rich history of old Scotland, and has avoided the modern influx of American fast- food chains (with the exception of one Starbucks, de rigueur in any university town).

Once known as the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, it’s now known as the home of golf. Thousands of tourists travel to St. Andrews each year to walk the hallowed fairways on which every great golfer who has played the game has come to compete. So ingrained is the game here, it’s not unusual to see people walking downtown or riding their bikes with a set of sticks on their back.

A view of the town of St Andrews from the 6th green of the newly opened Castle Course.

Golf has been played in St. Andrews for 600 years. There are a variety of courses in the area for golfers of all ages and abilities.

St. Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization, runs and manages seven popular courses — the most famous and revered being the Old Course (www.standrews.org.uk).

The Old Course is not the most difficult course you’ll ever play, but it will be the most thrilling.

On the first tee, even the hands of the most experienced veteran will shake a little knowing great champions have teed off from that very spot.
As you meander through the links, you’re sure to encounter one of the 112 bunkers. The most famous is Hell Bunker on the 14th hole or the Road Hole Bunker, which has been the demise of a few British Open contenders.

The massive double greens are also a signature part of the course and players can face putts of nearly 100 yards.
The Old Course has become the favourite course of golf’s greatest players, including Jack Nicklaus, who’s hoisted two Claret Jugs (the prize for the British Open) there.

“I fell in love with it the first time I played it. There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close,” he said.

Tiger Woods said: “It is my favourite course in the world.” Woods has also won two Open titles there and hopes to add a third to his resume in 2010 when St. Andrews will host the British Open again.

Besides the Old Course, there are five other fantastic links-style courses in St. Andrews. Two championship courses include the New Course, built in 1895, and the Jubilee Course, built in 1897.

Both courses offer challenging layouts and true links golf. The remaining courses include the Eden, for golfers looking for a more leisurely round, the Strathtyrum, suitable for higher handicappers, and the Balgove, a 9-hole track perfect for beginners and children.

The newest addition to the St. Andrews family is the Castle Course.

Opened in late June of this year, thecliff-top course has spectacular views of the town along with vistas of St Andrews Bay and the North Sea. The fescue will force you to hit accurate shots and the dramatic greens will surely test your flat stick. After the round, treat yourself to a beverage on the deck of the new clubhouse and enjoy the stunning views.

St. Andrews also offers a state-of-the-art practice facility and instruction centre located near town for players looking to find their game. Visitors can forge a relationship at the home of golf with one of the pros and continue to send video footage of their swing for in-depth analysis, even after they have returned home.

In addition to St. Andrews Links Trust Courses, The Duke’s Course is located near town and also boasts a first-class golf academy and an 18-hole championship track heralded as one of the British Isles best heathland golf courses.
It offers challenging golf, ranging from tree lined fairways to wide open countryside with expansive bunkers (http://oldcoursehotel.kohler.com/golf/dukes).

If you have your own transportation and some extra time, plan to hit some of the famous Open venues located within day-trip-range, including Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Muirfield and Turnberry.

Although there are many bed and breakfasts dotting the Scottish countryside, if you make this trip of a lifetime, splurge and stay at the Old Course Hotel.

Purchased by the plumbing giant Kohler Company in October 2004, the hotel has recently undergone an extensive renovation and now boasts 144 guest rooms including 35 suites.

Rooms are lavishly designed and many have private balconies, large bathrooms and chromotherapy baths.

The hotel’s Kohler Waters Spa is a great place to relax and rejuvenate after you’ve hit the links. The hydrotherapy pool, plunge pool, Japanese steam room, light therapy sauna and dozens of treatment options will cure any swing fault.

Dining options on the property are second to none. The Road Hole Grill offers spectacular views of the coastline and the 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course through floor to ceiling, panoramic windows.

The menu has a diverse selection of Scottish foods and local, organic ingredients such as Shetland organic salmon, East Neuk lobster and suckling pig from Ross-Shire.

Try the eight-course menu with wine and champagne pairings for a memorable dining experience.

Cap the night off by moving down the hall to the Road Hole Bar, famous for the selection of 200 whiskys in a cosy setting with panoramic views of the Old Course. It is a golfer’s paradise (http://oldcoursehotel.kohler.com).

If You Go

• Getting there: The closest major airport to St. Andrews is at Edinburgh approximately 45 minutes by train or car.
• Other Attractions: University of St. Andrews: Attended by Prince William, this is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the U.K.
• St. Andrews Castle: This stunning seaside castle was built in approximately 1400 and has served as a home for bishops, a fortress and even a prison. It fell into ruin in the 1600s.
• St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Rule’s Tower: This ruined cathedral was at one time the most important cathedral in Scotland. The ruins can be explored for free but there is a small fee for climbing the tower — well worth it for the view.
• West Sands: One of three beaches in the area. Several scenes from Chariots of Fire were filmed here.
• British Golf Museum: An informative and interactive exploration of the history of golf.

For more information on attractions go to www.visit-standrews.co.uk

Top 3 pubs to visit

• The Dunvegan: Just a 9-iron shot from the Old Course and the favourite haunt of caddies and players after the round. The pub is filled with photos of PGA tour stars and sports and entertainment celebrities.
• Ma Bells Bistro Bar: Overlooking the sea and the Old Course, it was Prince William’s favourite haunt.
• The Road Hole Bar: Phenomenal views of the Old Course and the largest selection of scotch from every distillery in Scotland.
• Tee times for courses in St. Andrews, including The Duke’s Course, are relatively readily available. In the summer, tee times are in higher demand and may require more advanced booking.
• For Old Course tee times between April and October, planning and patience is required. There are three ways to get a tee time at the birthplace of golf:
  1. Apply online for a booked tee time. Applications may be submitted by e-mail to Re**********@st*******.uk. There is a minimum two-course policy when booking the Old Course for play during this time, which requires golfers to book and play at least one other St. Andrews Links course in addition to the Old Course (top choices are the Castle Course, New Course and Jubilee Course). Well worth it.
  2. The ballot process: Around 50 per cent of all starting times over the year are put into the daily ballot (lottery) which is drawn every day for next day’s play. The Old Course is closed on Sundays as a public park for all to enjoy, thus the Saturday draw is for Monday play.
  3. Go to the starter as early as possible in the morning of the day you want to play. The starter will try to join you up with the first available two- or threesome.