Dec 2003

Also in the top ten was the New Course which was voted the ninth best in Scotland, tied with North Berwick. The New Course appeared in another category - the most underrated Scottish Course, where it appeared second after Cruden Bay.

Fife featured highly in two categories coming second in both favourite golf region and favourite cultural and historic vacation category. In the hotel category Turnberry was voted first with Gleneagles second, but the Old Course Hotel was third keeping the Fife flag flying.

"This was a very important survey as those responding are golfers who travel, in other words, are knowledgable and hard to satisfy,: said Alan McGregor, general manager, St Andrews Links Trust. "We are pleased that both the Old and New Courses performed well in the survey. We understand how important it is to keep Scotland high on the American traveller's agenda and surveys such as these should help raise the interest further."

Step up the pace

Slow play on the golf course is recognised as an issue facing golf course managers worldwide and in response to this a unique three day workshop has been developed at St Andrews Links.

As the largest public golf complex in the world with over 200,000 rounds of golf a year, the impact of pace of play presents a continual challenge to St Andrews Links Trust, the organisation responsible for the six public golf courses in St Andrews. The Trust has taken successful measures in recent years to improve performance on the Links and has developed this workshop in order to share expertise.

The workshop is an opportunity to exchange experiences and look at practical solutions to improve the pace of play. Aimed at golf course managers and directors, it is being held at St Andrews Links with involvement from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club on 2-4 and 24-26 February 2004.

To find out more, please contact Janet Finlay on 01334 466666 or email jfinlay@standrews.org.uk. To download a pdf version of the course brochure click here.

All set for 2004

Following its annual review of yearly tickets, the Links Management Committee has agreed new prices to come into effect on 1 April 2004.

The Links ticket for residents of St Andrews and students at the University of St Andrews will be £110 (from £106). The restricted ticket, which excludes the Old Course, will be £90 (from £87).

For senior residents of St Andrews, tickets will be £92 (from £89) for 7 day play on all courses, and £74 (£72) on all courses except the Old. The senior five day play ticket will be £55 (from £54) and the restricted, £46 (from £45). The residents' ticket for the Strathtyrum and Balgove Courses only will be £33 (from £32).

A full Links ticket for adults living in North-East Fife will be £220 (from £212) and restricted tickets will be £180 (from £174). Senior five day restricted tickets for those in North East Fife will be £92 (from £89).

The ordinary ticket for members of a recognised golf club in St Andrews who live outside the North-East Fife area will be £330 (from £318) and £270 (from £261) for a restricted ticket.

The open links ticket which is available to any golfer will be £560 (from £525); the restricted ticket will be £415 (from £395). A new junior version will be available at £280 and, the restricted for juniors will be £207 (from £197).

There are waiting lists in operation for some of these categories so golfers should renew their tickets before 1 April 2004 or they risk losing their ticket.

Children aged under 16 of residents of the town are free of charge while for those aged between 16 and 18 a full ticket will be £30 (from £29) and a restricted ticket, £26 (from £25). The restricted tickets for other junior categories changes to £26 )from £25).

"Over the last two or three years the main categories of ticket prices have fallen behind inflation. This year's adjustments have brought them back into line," said Jim White, Chairman of the Links Management Committee.

The Rules of Golf are reviewed every four years by golf's governing bodies, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and The United States Golf Association. The latest edition comes into effect on 1 January 2004 and copies will be given to golfers on the Links by the starter.

Hailed as the most comprehensive revision of the Rules for 20 years, changes include a definite connection between etiquette and the Rules, for the first time.

Under a section called the Spirit of the Game, a new paragraph reads:

'Unlike many sports golf is played for the most part without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.'

Linked to this is a penalty clause:
If players follow the guidelines in this section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone. If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee considers taking appropriate disciplinary actions against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines. In the case of a serious breach of etiquette the committee may disqualify a player under rule 33-7.