St Andrews (Jubilee)

The Jubilee Course is one of several incredible offerings at St Andrews Golf Links, and plays along the eastern coastline of Scotland. 

 

Somewhat overshadowed by its older and more well-coveted siblings, the Jubilee was designed and opened in 1897, before becoming a championship venue in 1988.  

 

John Angus, Willie Auchterlonie and Donald Steel are the three men who have been responsible for the design and changes of the Jubilee, which runs closer to the coastline than the other members of the St Andrews Links portfolio. 

 

  

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The Jubilee Course is the third oldest of the many offerings at St Andrews Golf Links, behind the Old Course and the New Course.  

 

The Jubilee was officially opened in 1897, with John Angus designing the original 12-hole layout. The course was intended to be used as the perfect place for beginners, as well as ladies. It was called the Jubilee to celebrate the 60-year reign of Queen Victoria. 

 

Willie Auchterlonie made changes in the 1940s, with Donald Steel then being the man to bring the course up to a championship standard. The newly remodelled layout opened in 1988, with the 15th being named after the renowned golf course architect.  
 

As with all the courses on offer at St Andrews Golf Links, the Jubilee is a glorious links course that is possibly overshadowed and overlooked due to its near neighbours. The Old Course, New Course and Castle Course are all incredible, and all part of the St Andrews Links collection. Then, there’s Fairmont St Andrews and Kingsbarns are also within just a few miles. It lies on the coast, and there are no shared fairways, no double greens and more changes in direction than you will find elsewhere in the town. 

 

The Jubilee Course plays as a Par 72, and runs at just over 6,600 yards from the tips. It is around 300 yards shorter if you opt to go from the blues. Being more exposed than its neighbours means that the front nine – which is shorter than the back nine by around 300 yards – plays mainly with a helping wind. Therefore, your score must come through the opening run of holes.  

 

The opening hole is named after Willie Auchterlonie and has two fairway bunkers in the landing zone that must be avoided. The 2nd is also a short par 4, with the 3rd being the opening par 5 on the course. At 538 yards, ‘The Skelp’ is the longest hole on the Jubilee. Both the 4th and 5th greens are massive. The former is more than 50 yards long, while the 5th green is 47 yards long, as well as being one of the most undulating putting surfaces on the layout. 5 is also the opening short hole, at just 146 yards.  

 

The 6th is the hardest hole on the Jubilee, despite being a par 5 of less than 500 yards. The fairway is narrow and there is plenty of trouble around. If you find the short grass, then you could reach in two. 7 and 8 are both par 4s of less than 400, with the 9th being the best of the par 3s. It is 186 yards and plays alongside the Eden Estuary. From there, the course starts to bare its teeth. All four par 4s of over 400 yards are on the back nine. 

 

The back nine begins a par 4 with out of bounds all down its left side. Back-to-back par 5s follow, with the 11th offering a real birdie chance. It is arguably the easiest driving hole with a wide fairway. Meanwhile, 12 plays more than 530 yards from the tips. The 13th and 17th are the par 3s on the back nine, with the penultimate being more than 200 yards from the tips. There is out of bounds right of the green, and four bunkers surrounding the putting surface.  

 

If Steel has left a signature hole, it is the 15th, a short par 4. The first half gives little indication of what is to follow. It then shifts to the right and culminates in a green set on a plateau that simply must not be missed. The hole may only measure 350 yards, but it can ruin a good score very quickly. The Jubilee concludes with a long par 4 in the best links traditions, a large home green providing the chance of a brave finish. Anywhere else in the world and the Jubilee would be a star attraction. In St Andrews it is tucked away and upstaged by its glamorous neighbours. Make sure you give it the respect it deserves. 
 

Where is St Andrews Links located?
St Andrews Links is situated in the town of St Andrews, which sits on the eastern coastline of Fife in Scotland. The Jubilee Course is one of the many golf courses that begins close to the old town. Leuchars is around five miles to the north, with Cupar ten miles to the west. The Jubilee Course is 50 miles northeast of the Scottish capital city, Edinburgh.

Leuchars Station is the closest rail stop to the town, and there are then local bus services from Leuchars to St Andrews and vice versa. The station sits on the London-Aberdeen line with LNER, and there are also Cross Country trains all the way down to Penzance in Cornwall. For those travelling from further afield, Edinburgh Airport - Scotland's biggest and busiest airport - is less than an hour from St Andrews. Glasgow Airport is slightly further away, but also offers international travellers with a landing spot on their way to the 'Home of Golf'.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?  
The Jubilee Course is one of several venues in the St Andrews Links portfolio that occupies a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The Old Course, New Course, Castle Course and Eden Course are also on the list, with the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews just down the road as well.

What golf facilities does St Andrews Links offer?  
There's plenty to do while you're at the 'Home of Golf'. Along with the Jubilee Course, there are seven other layouts in the St Andrews Links portfolio, while there is also a Golf Academy on site with practice facilities and the option to receive tuition as well.
 

What are the green fees at St Andrews Links?
The price of a green fee on the Jubilee Course at St Andrews Golf Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at St Andrews Links, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the St Andrews Links' here. 

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.