Golf has been played here for six centuries, and the town is built accordingly — the 18th green of the Old Course sits practically in the middle of it, and half the pubs double as museums. Between the Links Trust courses, the university crowd, and a fish-and-chips rivalry taken more seriously than most club championships, St Andrews is the rare pilgrimage that's just as good off the course.
- The New Course £150+ An Old Tom Morris design untouched since 1895, and widely called the best of the Links Trust courses after the Old. If you lose the Old Course ballot, this is the consolation prize that isn't one.
- Kingsbarns £486 Fifteen minutes down the coast, and every hole feels like it's hanging over the North Sea. The modern links that plays like it's been there forever.
- The Castle Course £180 David McLay Kidd — the Bandon Dunes guy — let fully off the leash on a clifftop above town. Wild greens, wilder views.
- Tailend St Andrews Most locals' answer for the best fish and chips in town, with a fresh seafood counter staring at you as you walk in.
- Cromars St Andrews Twice named the best fish and chips in all of Scotland at the national awards. The rivalry with Tailend is real — settle it yourself.
- Anstruther Fish Bar Anstruther A short drive down the East Neuk coast, and worth every minute of it. Order at the counter, eat on the harbour wall.
- The Dunvegan St Andrews The most famous 19th hole in golf, a pitching wedge from the 18th green. The walls and ceiling are covered in photos of everyone who's ever mattered in this game. 19th hole pickA pint under the wall of legends, then steak in the Claret Jug room if the round went well.
- The Jigger Inn St Andrews An 1850s stationmaster's lodge sitting directly on the Old Course's 17th fairway — the Road Hole is the beer garden view. 19th hole pickThe Jigger Ale — brewed exclusively for this pub — with an order of fish and chips outside.
- The Criterion St Andrews Family-run since 1874 and one of the last proper locals' pubs in town. Over 160 whiskies behind the bar. 19th hole pickA famous "Cri Pie" and a dram — ask the bar to pick the whisky, they know better than you.
Fly into Edinburgh (EDI) and drive about 90 minutes northeast into Fife. April through October is prime season. If the Old Course is the goal, enter the daily ballot two days ahead or join the singles queue at dawn — and have the New Course booked as your backup plan.