St Andrews is the most famous golf destination in the world. This is a sentence that attracts no debate. Yet when people go to the home of golf, they have a myopic focus on The Old Course.
Now, the Old Lady, as she’s affectionately known is one that all golfers should enjoy a game on, however the point in this article is that there are other delights that you shouldn’t miss.
This article is here to introduce you to another joy of St Andrews. One that has a quirky and interesting history, one that even non-golfers will absolutely love, the St Andrews Ladies Putting Club.
Believe it or not, back in the 1860s, a young lady putting was a controversial site. Now golf may have it’s modern image problems but thankfully it’s come a long way from this. Old Tom Morris, stepped-in to sort this issue out.
The great designer and talent behind The Old Course built the girls a links putting green away from peering and disapproving eyes. He cut back the fescue and mowed down the dunes to create a putting masterpiece.
These naked dunes still stand today and the modern running of the green is almost as interesting as it’s history. Today the course is changed every Tuesday by the dedicated club manager, Kevin Mackie.
Mackie has some fascinating stories about people who have played the course and how he chooses how to lay out the holes. You have to have a chat with him when you play The Himalayas.
Anyway, back to the golf. A seaside putting green is almost as classic as golf itself, actually The Links Diary will be running a story on this in our next edition due out in October.
There is a refreshing mix of golfers out on the green. Families with young kids, couples young and old then, the day we played it, three serious golfers out for a laugh.
Kevin Mackie said, “Real golfers are the slowest out there, they take it too seriously. This is a place you just have to relax and enjoy.”
With no hole in ones but a few close calls, the three of us just had the best time. Laughing at ourselves and each other, some competitive pressure on one another and one victor who let us all know, much to my chagrin.
This is golf for all. Next time you are in St Andrews, take an hour out of your itinerary and play the old putting green. Trust me, you’ll absolutely love it.
