How to Play the Jubilee Course at St Andrews
The Jubilee runs along a narrow strip of linksland between the New Course and the North Sea. It opened in 1897 and, after a major 1988 redesign by Donald Steel, it earned a reputation as the toughest test on the St Andrews links. Expect wind, rumpled fairways, and a run-in that will punish loose swings.
Why play the Jubilee Course?
If you want proper links golf without the Old Course scramble, the Jubilee delivers. It’s a full championship layout, playing around 6,614 yards at par 72 from the back tees, with holes that weave through dunes and out towards the Eden Estuary. Many call it St Andrews’ sternest challenge, thanks to exposure and tighter driving lines than its neighbours.
The setting magnifies the test. Raised tees give huge views across St Andrews Bay, but they also leave you open to the sea breeze. On calm evenings it can feel generous; when the wind gets up, the same landing areas shrink fast. That balance is why experienced visitors rate the Jubilee as “the hardest at the Home of Golf,” and why low-handicap groups often build their trip around it.
Green fees and seasonal pricing
Prices vary by season and product. Current fees and packages are listed on the St Andrews Links booking portal; expect the Jubilee to sit well below the Old Course peak rate. Check official channels for what applies to your dates.
How to book a tee time at the Jubilee
Booking is simple. Create an account and reserve directly on the St Andrews Links website. Unlike the Old Course, there’s no 48-hour ballot: you choose your day and time online, or call the reservations team if you can’t see the slot you want. If you’re planning a multi-round stay, you can book the New, Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum together through the same system.
Allow a little extra time on the day. The Links Clubhouse beside the Old, New and Jubilee has lockers, showers and drying rooms, plus the Tom Morris Bar & Grill upstairs for breakfast, lunch or a late plate after your round. It’s a short walk to the first tee.
Can beginners play the Jubilee Course?
Yes, but it’s not the soft option. Tight driving corridors and cross-winds make it a handful in a blow. If your group includes newer golfers, consider moving forward a tee set and pairing the Jubilee with an easier day on the Eden or Strathtyrum to keep spirits high.
Caddies, buggies and dress
Caddies are available to pre-book through St Andrews Links; they’ll save you shots on lines, lies and club selection in the wind. Buggies are restricted and typically require eligibility; pull trolleys are widely available. On course, wear standard golf attire; in the clubhouses, smart-casual is the norm.
Jubilee vs Old Course, what’s the difference?
The Old Course is quirky and historic with double greens and crossing lines. The Jubilee feels more orthodox: tighter fairways, clearer questions from bunkering, and less room to bail out left or right. Wind exposure is the deciding factor. If you enjoy shaping tee shots to specific targets and holding firm greens under pressure, you’ll love it. If you prefer width and angles, book the Old or New first, then come here when your game is warm.
Course layout and signature holes
The outward nine runs out towards the Eden Estuary, touching several wind directions from the 8th to the 13th. The par-3 9th often plays into the teeth of the breeze; a solid strike is rewarded, anything spinny or ballooned won’t make the target. The back nine feels leaner and meaner, with a closing stretch that can shred a tidy card if you lose the fairway.
The hole most visitors remember is the par-4 15th. It isn’t long, but the fairway pinches beside the dunes and the green sits high and awkward. Push the tee shot and you’re blocked. Get greedy and you’ll chase recovery shots from sandy swales. Play position off the tee, then trust a compact, climbing approach. It’s a brilliant piece of risk-reward design and a fitting Donald Steel “gem”.
Local tips for wind and terrain
Pick a conservative target from the tee on the tighter holes and keep the ball below the breeze. In a cross-wind, start lines inside the fairway edges; chases into the rough get punished by awkward lies and blocked angles. Around the greens, land the ball on the front third and use the contours rather than flying everything to the flag. If the forecast flips during your stay, move the Jubilee to the calmer day and put the New or Eden into the windier slot.
Winter and shoulder-season notes
The Jubilee trades through winter with seasonal protections. Fairway mats are sometimes in use during the colder months to protect turf, and there can be frost delays. If you’re visiting November to March, check the day’s course status and be ready for mats or adjusted starts. Shoulder-season packages occasionally bundle guaranteed times on the New, Jubilee and Eden with practice-range balls and dining credit.
Where to stay near the Jubilee Course
Base yourself near the Links and you can walk to the first tee. Short Stay St Andrews manages self-catering flats and townhouses in the centre of town, close to the Links Clubhouse and the practice ground. Staying central also helps if you’re mixing courses: you can book the Jubilee, add the New or Eden as backup, and still make dinner in town without a car.
FAQs about the Jubilee Course
Is the Jubilee Course hard to play?
It’s widely regarded as the toughest of the St Andrews championship links, thanks to wind exposure and narrower driving corridors. Choose sensible tees and keep the ball in play.
How do I book a tee time?
Create an account on the St Andrews Links site and book directly. If you can’t see your preferred time online, call reservations for help. No ballot is required for the Jubilee.
How much does it cost?
Fees change by season. Check the official portal for current prices.Â
What’s the dress code and are caddies available?
Wear appropriate golf attire on the course; clubhouses are smart-casual. Caddies can be reserved in advance through St Andrews Links and are a strong recommendation on windy days.
Which clubhouse should I use?
The Links Clubhouse serves the Old, New and Jubilee and includes lockers, showers and the Tom Morris Bar & Grill for food and a pint with a view. It’s the obvious base for your day.
Plan your Trip
Book the Jubilee Course first, then add the New or Eden for variety. Stay in a Short Stay St Andrews home near the Links so you can walk to the clubhouse, check the wind, and head out when the light is best.
