Golf has been part of the fabric of St. Andrews for over 600 years. But time has not stood still in this ancient town. And that’s especially true over the last two years, while most American golf travelers have been away.
Since the end of 2019, hotels have expanded, restaurants have opened, and even a new links golf course has splashed onto the scene.
If it has been a few years since your last visit to St. Andrews, here’s a look at what’s new.
Rusacks Hotel
The Rusacks St. Andrews recently completed a multi-million pound renovation and expansion of its landmark hotel. The most notable change was a new wing featuring 44 additional guestrooms, extending its footprint along the 1st and 18th fairways of the Old Course at St. Andrews.
No stone was left unturned in the renovation. The lobby and common areas are warm and inviting, with notes of golf’s rich history in St. Andrews evident throughout. The Gallery features a new snooker table and projection screen, perfect for post-round pints while enjoying the golf or ballgame taking place back home.
In addition, all of the guestrooms at The Rusacks received an equally extensive refresh. Whether you’re in the new wing or the original Victorian building, you can rest assured that your time at The Rusacks will be both comfortable and enjoyable.
And as you can see, the location is impossible to beat.
18 St. Andrews
Perhaps the best feature of the Rusacks expansion is the addition of 18 St. Andrews. Located on the top floor of the new wing, 18 St. Andrews offers sweeping views of the 1st and 18th fairway of The Old Course and the West Sands beach.
The restaurant is a carnivore’s delight, offering a variety of dry aged steaks and local seafood options. There’s a clubhouse feel to 18 St. Andrews, as the decor of the Rusacks carries seamlessly through the restaurant, lounge, and private dining room.
What many will remember from the visit, however, has little to do with the food and ambiance. That distinction belongs to the small putting green on the outdoor terrace overlooking the 18th green and R&A clubhouse.
Dumbarnie Links
It’s not every day that a new links golf course debuts in Scotland – let alone one that arrives at the height of a pandemic – but that’s exactly what happened at Dumbarnie Links. The long awaited course opened to near universal praise in the summer of 2020. It certainly deserved a better welcome…
Given the timing, Dumbarnie Links has yet to be discovered by the vast majority of American golf travelers. A number of the H&B Forces played Dumbarnie Links during the abbreviated 2021 season and agreed with the early praise. A member of the H&B team also visited recently and shared this review of Dumbarnie Links.
In our estimation, Dumbarnie Links largely lives up to the hype and it promises to only get better as the course grows in more and Mother Nature softens its fresh edges.
Although we wouldn’t replace the likes of Kingsbarns Golf Links or Carnoustie with a round at Dumbarnie, it gives the golfer one more reason to extend their stay in St. Andrews.
Old Course Hotel Expansion
Like numerous properties around Great Britain and Ireland, the Old Course Hotel took advantage of the downtime in 2020 to expand its five-star facilities. The work brought expanded function space and introduced a new Penthouse Suite on the hotel’s 4th floor.
Most importantly for golf travelers, the Old Course Hotel expansion added 31 new guest rooms in the “Champions Wing,” many featuring stunning views of the 17th hole and the rest of The Old Course at St. Andrews.
If you happen to score one of these rooms, be prepared to spend many hours on the balcony just watching the world go by.
Swilcan Loft St. Andrews
The Old Course Hotel expansion brought with it another new restaurant that is certain to become a must-visit in St. Andrews. The Swilcan Loft is located on the hotel’s 4th floor and features commanding views over The Old Course at St. Andrews.
The venue is light and airy with floor to ceiling windows all around. The open kitchen serves a varied menu of local specialties alongside an inspired cocktail list. But like it’s new counterpart up the street, it’s the view at Swilcan Loft that is sure to steal the show.
Tom Morris Bar & Grill
Inside the Links Clubhouse, the Tom Morris Bar & Grill debuted in the summer of 2021 in time for the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Grand Old Man of Golf. The life and career of Old Tom Morris features prominently throughout the entry and dining room, which overlooks three courses crafted in part or entirely by the patriarch of golf.
The Tom Morris Bar & Grill offers golfers a great option for a pre-round breakfast or lunch. After the round, an array of 28-day dry aged steaks are sure to provide instant refortification. The restaurant is currently only open until 5pm daily, but we’d look for that to change with the arrival of the 2022 golf travel season.
R&A World Golf Museum
The former British Golf Museum has received a refresh and rebrand and is now known as the R&A World Golf Museum. Located just steps from the 18th green, the museum showcases the long history of golf both in St. Andrews and around the world.
In addition to its prized collection, the museum is home to a wonderful cafe overlooking the 1st and 18th holes of The Old Course. Whether you need a light bite before your tee time, or simply enjoy watching the activity at the 1st tee, the R&A World Golf Museum cafe is a great choice to accomplish both.
As you can see, time has not stood still in St. Andrews. The same holds true for the other great destinations for golf across the pond. If it’s been a few years since your last visit, as you can see…
There’s plenty of good reasons to return.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to St. Andrews, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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