R&A World Golf Museum

R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews, Scotland

Golf Galore Opposite The Old Course

St Andrews is mostly known for its association with the game of golf though the University of St Andrews is now pushing it close. The R&A World Golf Museum celebrates the town's links (pun intended) with golf and the history of the game in general.

The museum is situated just across the road from The Old Course and The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse. It is a must for visitors who have come to play golf in the town.

Exhibits on display at the museum. — Exhibits on display at the museum © R&A World Golf Museum

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Exhibits

The museum has six zones which use a variety of interactive exhibits to explain the origins of the game on Scotland's east coast and its subsequent spread around the world.

Exhibits focus on all aspects of the game including the history of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, both the men's and women's games, professional and amateur as well as golf equipment and clothing.

Videos and photographs complement such historic items as the world's oldest set of clubs (over 400 years old), trophies and memorabilia from past Open champions.

You can also try your hand at holing a championship-winning putt in one interactive display.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions which can last for 6-12 months. The current exhibition is "Masterstrokes: 200 Years of Scottish Golifng Art"

The museum presents the history of golf. — The museum presents the history of golf from its origins in Scotland

Access & Hours

Bruce Embankment,
St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AB
Tel: 01334 460046
www: worldgolfmuseum.com

April - October; 7 days per week; 9 am to 6 pm; November - March; 7 days per week; 10 am to 4 pm.

Admission is Adults £17.50; Senior (65+) £12.50 Students £7.50; Child 16 & under - free.

Group bookings discounts - email TaraHamon@randa.org.

The R&A Shop inside the Museum features an extensive selection of premium merchandise and gifts ideas to suit all tastes and budgets.

Getting To St Andrews

The nearest railway station to St Andrews is Leuchars, which is about 10 km from the town. It is on the Edinburgh to Dundee line and Edinburgh to Aberdeen line from Edinburgh Waverley Station and Edinburgh Haymarket. There are bus and taxi connections from Leuchars to St Andrews.

The Caledonian Sleeper service runs from London Euston to Leuchars overnight six days a week, Sunday to Friday.

The Highland route runs between Fort William, Inverness or Aberdeen and London Euston. The Highland trains join at Edinburgh Waverley and continue to London. The Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley Highland train stops at Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee, Leuchars (for St Andrews), Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing, and also Edinburgh Waverley.

Dundee Station on South Union Street has trains to London King's Cross Station in London from Aberdeen via Edinburgh, Newcastle and York Station in York as well as more local ScotRail trains to Glasgow Queen Street in Glasgow via Perth and Stirling as well as connections south to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

There are frequent buses to and from Dundee from St Andrews via Leuchars. The #99, #99A, the #99B, the #99C, and #99D all connect the two cities. Leuchars to St Andrews by bus takes about 15 minutes.

There are Stagecoach buses running between St Andrews and the capital, Edinburgh. These are the X58, X59 and X60 services (about two hours) Stagecoach also operates the X24, X26 and X27 buses to Glasgow (about two and a half hours).

Edinburgh Airport is the nearest airport with direct shuttle buses to St Andrews. There are also trains to Leuchars from Edinburgh Gateway Station a short tram ride or bus (100 Airlink) ride from Edinburgh Airport.

Accommodation

If you wish to stay in St Andrews try the Fairmont St Andrews, with five stars and views of the St Andrews Bay. The hotel also boasts a spa and a pool.

Also recommended are the budget Ardgowan Hotel located in a Georgian terrace and Rusacks St Andrews, overlooking the Old Course.

Old Course Hotel St Andrews overlooks West Sands Beach and the Links Golf Course. Enjoy its Kohler Waters Spa, which offers luxury spa treatments, a hydrotherapy pool, experience showers and cold plunge pool.

Hotel Du Vin St Andrews on The Scores offers a French-style bistro and bar.

Kinnettles Hotel & Spa offers an à la carte restaurant amid five-star luxury.

See a listing of hotels in St Andrews.

The exterior of the museum. — The exterior of the museum

St Andrews Attractions

St Andrews Castle, the ruined St Andrews Cathedral, St Andrews aquarium, St Andrews Museum, the Wardlaw Museum, Holy Trinity Church, the R&A World Golf Museum and, of course, St Andrews University are major attractions in the city.

Many visitors, especially from the USA, also come to play the Old Course, the home of golf.