New Course
St Andrews
Despite its name, the New Course has been testing golfers at St Andrews Links since 1895. Designed by Old Tom Morris, it offers one of the purest traditional links experiences in the Home of Golf and is sometimes overlooked beside its world-famous neighbour, the Old Course. For golfers seeking historic surroundings, strategic golf and a slightly quieter atmosphere, it is an essential addition to a St Andrews golf holiday.
The 18-hole, par-71 layout follows a traditional nine-holes-out and nine-holes-back routing across classic linksland. Undulating fairways, thick rough, gorse and deep, unforgiving bunkers place a premium on accuracy and sensible course management. The coastal wind can completely change the character of the course, turning apparently straightforward holes into demanding tests of club selection and ball control.
Compared with the Old Course, the New Course has a more clearly defined layout, with narrower fairways and fewer shared playing areas. It is easy to understand on a first visit but far from easy to master. Confident drivers can take on strategic hazards to create better angles into the greens, while golfers who stray from the fairway may find themselves negotiating rough, dunes or traditional links bunkers.
The course is an excellent choice for experienced golfers, societies and groups who want to enjoy championship-quality links golf without relying on an Old Course ballot time. Its location also makes it easy to combine with the Jubilee, Eden and other St Andrews Links courses during a longer break.
After golf, visitors can relax at the St Andrews Links Clubhouse or explore the historic centre of St Andrews. Popular options include visiting the World Golf Museum, walking across West Sands Beach, exploring St Andrews Castle and Cathedral, or enjoying the town’s excellent selection of pubs, restaurants and independent shops.
Edinburgh Airport
80km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
£ (British Pound)
Temperature:
0°C - 22°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£40
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
The Mornington Peninsula sits just south of Melbourne and is one of Australia’s premier golf regions, combining a dense collection of top-ranked courses with coastal scenery, wineries and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Often considered an extension of Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt, the peninsula offers firm playing conditions, strategic design and a variety of layouts within a compact area.
One of the standout venues is The National Golf Club, home to multiple world-class courses including the Old Course, Moonah and Gunnamatta. Each layout offers a distinct challenge, from classic links-style holes to more modern designs routed through natural dune systems. Nearby, Moonah Links Golf Course provides two championship courses that regularly host professional events, featuring rolling fairways, natural bunkering and open, wind-influenced terrain. Another highlight is St Andrews Beach Golf Course, a Tom Doak design that blends seamlessly with the coastal landscape and is widely praised for its playability and strategic interest.
Golf on the Mornington Peninsula benefits from a temperate coastal climate, with the best conditions typically in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when courses are firm and the weather is comfortable.
Off the course, the peninsula is renowned for its wineries, boutique breweries and coastal villages. Beach walks, cliff-top views and spa retreats offer relaxation between rounds, while nearby Melbourne provides world-class dining and cultural experiences just over an hour away.
For golfers seeking high-quality course variety, coastal links-style golf and a destination that blends championship play with food, wine and relaxation, the Mornington Peninsula delivers one of Australia’s most complete and rewarding golf escapes.
