The Old Course at St Andrews stands as the birthplace of modern golf, a course steeped in over 600 years of history and tradition. As the venue approaches its record 31st hosting of The Open Championship in 2027, the course undergoes one of its most significant modernization projects in nearly two decades. Here at Quality Golf Destinations, we're committed to helping you understand these changes and plan your visit to this legendary venue.

Why Now? Understanding the Need for Course Evolution

Following Cameron Smith's dramatic victory at The 150th Open Championship in 2022, when he finished at an impressive 20-under par, course officials identified several strategic challenges that needed addressing. The unusually calm conditions and firm, fast fairways during that championship created a unique scenario: multiple par-4s became reachable in a single shot, and remarkably, both par-5s were reachable in two strokes on most days—a situation that rarely occurs at this historic venue.

"Principally, when we had The Open here in 2022, the course played very well," explained Grant Moir, Chief Governance Officer at The R&A and Chief Referee for the Championship. "It was very firm and very fast and that created a challenge, but certainly there had been an increase in the number of par-4s that were reachable and both par-5s were reachable (in two) most days."

This changing dynamic prompted a collaborative review between The R&A and St Andrews Links Trust to identify how the course could be refined to present a more balanced strategic challenge for the world's elite players while maintaining the enchanting character that makes St Andrews special for everyday golfers.

If you're planning to experience St Andrews before or after the 2027 Open, visit our comprehensive St Andrews golf travel guide to explore your options at the seven public courses available in the area.

The Scope of Changes: A Measured, Respectful Approach

It's important to emphasize that these modifications represent a relatively modest intervention in the context of St Andrews' long history. The course has undergone far more substantial changes in the past. Between 1899 and 1905, over 60 new bunkers were added to the layout. From 2000 to 2005, the course was lengthened by nearly 350 yards across two major renovation periods ahead of The 129th and 134th Opens respectively. The most recent significant adjustments occurred in 2015, when bunkers were added and removed, and the back left portion of the 11th green was regraded to create additional hole location options.

The upcoming work has been entrusted to Mackenzie & Ebert, a leading international golf course architecture firm renowned for their expertise in links golf restoration. The R&A and St Andrews Links Trust selected them specifically for their deep understanding of traditional links design principles and their successful work on other Open Championship venues.

"When you're making any changes to the Old Course it's important to look back but equally it's as important to look forward," said Sandy Reid, Director of Greenkeeping at St Andrews Links Trust. "The course has changed many times over the years and these changes are probably quite modest compared to some changes that have happened in the past. It's tweaks and it's mainly for the elite-level golfer."

The Specific Modifications: Lengthening for Strategic Challenge

Adding Yardage Where It Matters

Six holes will be lengthened as part of this enhancement project, bringing the course's championship yardage from 7,313 yards to 7,445 yards—an increase of 132 yards overall. This measured extension addresses the modern equipment advantage while maintaining the course's fundamental character.

**Specific yardage additions include:**

5th Hole (Par-5): New championship tee adds 35 yards (605 yards total)

6th Hole (Par-4): New tee adds 17 yards (431 yards total)

7th Hole (Par-4): New championship tee adds 22 yards

10th Hole (Par-4): New championship tee adds 29 yards

11th Hole (Par-3/Eden Hole): Tee enlargement adds 21 yards (now 195 yards)

16th Hole (Par-4): Tee enlargement adds 10 yards

12th Hole (Par-3): Shortened by 2 yards

The 12th hole represents the only shortening, with the championship tee realigned slightly (reducing length by 2 yards) to ease spectator movement during championship play—a practical consideration that ensures the 2027 Open provides an excellent viewing experience for the thousands of fans expected to attend.

For golfers interested in exploring how the course plays at different yardages, discover our guide to St Andrews' seven public courses and their respective configurations.

Strategic Bunker Work: Restoring Challenge and Historic Playing Routes

Beyond lengthening, the most significant aspect of this project involves strategic bunker modifications designed to restore the course's intended challenge and, in some cases, recover historic playing routes that had evolved over time.

The 16th Hole: A Restoration Story

Perhaps the most meaningful change involves the par-4 16th hole, site of one of golf's most dramatic moments during the 1995 Open Championship. This restoration actually represents a return to the course's historical design philosophy.

Prior to The 129th Open in 2000, the fairway to the left of the famous Principal's Nose and Deacon Sime bunkers was converted to rough. Over more than two decades, players began adapting their strategy in unexpected ways. Rather than challenging the traditional right side and risk going out of bounds, many competitors intentionally aimed for the left rough, accepting a poor lie as preferable to the greater disaster of missing the fairway entirely. This created a one-dimensional strategic problem that contradicted the hole's original design intent.

The 2027 restoration will reclaim the left fairway while adding two strategically positioned bunkers beyond and to the left of the Deacon Sime bunker. This seemingly counterintuitive move—widening the fairway while adding hazards—actually restores the hole's original strategic challenge. Players will now have genuine options: they can attack aggressively left, play conservatively right, or plot a middle course. Each choice carries genuine risk and reward.

"We felt that in recent times players have targeted hitting the ball into the rough there, to avoid the strategic challenge that the hole traditionally provided," explained Moir. "So it might sound counterintuitive to some, but widening the fairway with the placement of two new bunkers in there actually enhances the strategic challenge and the challenge across the board on that hole."

Other Bunker Adjustments

Additional bunker work throughout the course addresses similar strategic objectives:

2nd Hole: Two right-side fairway bunkers will be relocated farther down the hole and toward the left, making them more relevant to modern players' typical line of play

6th Hole: New bunkers added at elite-level drive length to create additional risk on longer drives

9th Hole: Right-side approach bunkers extended slightly toward the line of play, including restoration of Boase's Bunker to its larger, less rounded historical shape

10th Hole: New bunkers added at drive length to protect the extended hole

17th Hole (Road Hole): The legendary Road Hole Bunker will undergo sympathetic restoration to reduce sand splash build-up over time. Importantly, the bunker's size and shape will remain unchanged—this is purely maintenance work

For those planning to experience St Andrews' legendary bunkers firsthand, explore our St Andrews golf packages and tee time booking options.

Infrastructure Improvements: The Irrigation System Upgrade

Concurrent with the course enhancements, St Andrews Links Trust is investing £10.5 million in a comprehensive irrigation system upgrade across its seven courses, with the Old Course receiving particular attention. The current irrigation system, installed 25 years ago, will be replaced with approximately 1,500 new pop-up sprinklers compared to the existing 800 sprinklers.

This modernization addresses practical challenges in turf management, particularly during dry summer months that have become increasingly common. The new system provides more precise irrigation control, allowing greenkeeping staff to water specific areas more efficiently. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to be completed by March 2026, well ahead of the 2027 Open Championship.

Impact on Recreational Golfers: Minimal but Thoughtful

One concern many recreational golfers have expressed involves how these changes might affect their enjoyment of the course. The good news: the modifications are specifically designed for elite-level play and will have minimal impact on the everyday golfing experience.

Sandy Reid addressed this directly: "The recreational golfer will see some changes, but it's really to enhance their experience. The 14th tee is the only tee change that will impact them; there's a slight realignment with that one. There's the addition and movement of some bunkers but they're primarily for the elite golfer."

The modifications to bunker placement on the 2nd hole will affect general play more noticeably since these hazards are closer to typical amateur driving distances. However, Reid emphasized that the overall goal remains unchanged: "We want to retain the charm of the Old Course. Everybody knows it for that. And we think these changes will fit in perfectly. We want to ensure that everyone who plays here enjoys their experience and some of these changes might enhance it."

This commitment to preserving the everyday experience aligns with one of St Andrews Links Trust's core values: ensuring that the course remains accessible and enjoyable for all golfers, regardless of handicap.

The Collaboration: A Tripartite Partnership

The decision-making process for these enhancements involved meaningful collaboration among three key stakeholders: The R&A, St Andrews Links Trust, and the architectural expertise of Mackenzie & Ebert.

"It's a tripartite relationship," explained Moir. "We initially spoke with Sandy and with Neil Coulson (the Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust) and we felt collectively that we wanted to have a review of the course following The 150th Open. The selection of an architect for an Open venue sits with the host club, but clearly Mackenzie & Ebert are highly respected architects who do work on a lot of our Open venues. And given their specialism on links, the Links Trust felt they were the appropriate architects to be brought in and we've worked as a collective since then to put together this series of changes."

The commitment to collaboration extends to implementation as well. The St Andrews Links Trust greenkeeping team will carry out much of the work, with all bunker modifications executed by the Links Trust's experienced staff. This ensures continuity and that local expertise informs every aspect of the restoration.

Timeline and Implementation: Planning for 2027

Work on course modifications commenced on November 3, 2025, with the irrigation system upgrade already underway since late October. The timing is carefully planned to minimize disruption to recreational play while allowing sufficient time for settling and establishment before the 2027 Open Championship.

Various holes will be closed for work at different times, and St Andrews Links Trust has thoughtfully adjusted its offerings during this period. The Old Course will not be sold as part of the Links Trust's three-round package in recognition of the ongoing disruption. Instead, it will remain available through the ballot system with reduced green fees, ensuring continued access for golfers hoping to experience this historic course even during the renovation period.

For those planning to visit St Andrews during the renovation period, explore our alternative St Andrews courses guide, which showcases the incredible range of quality layouts available in the area—all within easy driving distance.

A Course Evolving to Meet Modern Challenges

The phrase "the course has never stood still" captures something essential about St Andrews' enduring greatness. Every generation has faced the challenge of maintaining this legendary links while adapting it to the players and equipment of their era. The upcoming enhancements continue this tradition in ways that respect history while embracing the realities of modern professional golf.

Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, expressed this philosophy eloquently: "Every generation has played a part in shaping the Old Course, and this latest programme continues that long tradition. The work will restore features that have changed subtly over time and refine others to preserve the course's unique character. Our guiding principle is simple: to protect what makes the Old Course so special while ensuring it continues to offer a fair, challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of every level. The Old Course has never stood still. Its enduring greatness lies in its ability to adapt while retaining its soul."

Planning Your Visit: The Opportunity Ahead

As the 2027 Open Championship approaches, interest in visiting St Andrews continues to build. Whether you're interested in attending the championship itself, playing the course in the years leading up to 2027, or exploring the broader St Andrews golfing region, now is the time to begin planning.

Quality Golf Destinations specializes in crafting personalized golf itineraries centered on St Andrews and the surrounding area. We understand the unique appeal of St Andrews Links and can help you:

- Secure coveted tee times on the Old Course through authorized providers

- Design comprehensive golf itineraries that include the Castle Course, Kingsbarns, and other exceptional layouts in the area

- Arrange accommodation and ground transportation

- Explore the broader golfing riches of Scotland's East Coast

The Old Course enhancements represent an exciting chapter in this historic venue's continuous evolution. With championship yardage increasing to its highest level ever and strategic challenges carefully restored, the 2027 Open Championship promises to be an unforgettable test of golf.

Connect with Quality Golf Destinations today to begin planning your St Andrews golf experience. Whether you visit before the 2027 championship or return after these enhancements have settled into the fabric of this legendary course, you'll experience a layout that balances respect for centuries of tradition with a commitment to remaining relevant for the modern game.