The Old Course, Reversed! Rare opportunity to go around both ...
Think you've done it all in golf? The Old Course was designed to be played both directions; the lucky few will get to try it
www.amateurgolf.comHere are the latest updates I can share about the Old Course at St Andrews.
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The Old Course is undergoing an enhancement and restoration program ahead of The Open Championship in 2027. The project is led by Mackenzie & Ebert, with oversight from The R&A and St Andrews Links Trust, focusing on refining the strategic challenge in a few key areas while restoring traditional features for everyday play. This appears as part of a broader effort to evolve the course for elite competition and for local/visitor golfers alike.[1][3]
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Specific changes include adjustments to bunkering and certain fairway/point-of-play areas, plus related work on the course’s irrigation system. Reports indicate the 16th hole will see the restoration of a historic playing route and added bunkers to increase risk on the left side of the extended fairway, with other targeted bunker and feature restorations on the course planned in parallel. These changes are described as preserving the Old Course’s character while heightening strategic options for top-level competition.[2]
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Coverage from major outlets confirms the 2027 Open will be the first time since 2022 that the Old Course hosts The Open, making the upcoming work part of a long-term plan to keep the course relevant for the world’s best players and accessible to local golfers as well. Sky Sports has stated that these updates will include lengthening and other improvements, with irrigation upgrades running concurrently to minimize disruption.[3][2]
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Practical accessibility note: the St Andrews Links Trust manages tee-time systems, and there have been recent updates to the Old Course booking system to improve access for players, including new digital mechanisms for tee-time reservations. This reflects ongoing modernization alongside the course work.[10]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest local news from St Andrews and provide a concise, date-stamped summary, or help you with a quick map-style briefing of the likely changes hole-by-hole based on the announced plan.