Bookings set to open to allow golfers to play the Old Course in reverse
Bookings are set to open to play the famous Old Course backwards, as players did when the course first emerged in the 1400s.
St Andrews Links Trust has announced that the hugely popular Old Course Reversed event will return in April 2026 for a third year, and applications will open for a limited 48-hour period on December 8.
The initiative proved to be a huge hit with golfers when it first launched in 2024,capturing global interest, and is now set for a third annual outing.
It is a rare chance to experience the Old Course as it was originally played centuries ago, in its historic clockwise direction. Due to the unique nature of its design, the world-famous links can be played clockwise or anticlockwise, with golfers historically switching between the two routings for many years until the modern anti-clockwise layout became the norm in the 20th century.
Next April, golfers will again be able to step back in time and enjoy this historic routing with the reversed routing reinstated for three days between the 17th and 20th - the course is closed on Sunday 19th in keeping with long-standing tradition.
Golfers will once again have multiple routes to secure a tee time, including the daily Old Course ballot, singles daily draw and an advanced three-round public package featuring rounds on the Old Course, Old Course Reversed and The Castle Course.
St Andrews Links Ticketholders will also have access to a dedicated Old Course Reversed competition day on the18th.
Laurie Watson, director of engagement at the Trust, said: “The Old Course Reversed is one of the unique events in golf and we have been delighted with the response since re-introducing it to our annual calendar in 2024.
“We are thrilled to announce the dates and application window of the 2026 event and look forward to offering more golfers a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Home of Golf.”
The 2025 event saw almost 600 golfers play the historic routing, with visitors travelling from as far afield as Indonesia. The event was once again praised by both golfers and media, with Josh Sens, Writer at Golf.com, commenting; “If you love golf - I mean really love it for its history, beauty, camaraderie and challenge - there’s no better way to celebrate what the game is all about" and Peter Finch, PGA professional and high-profile YouTube golf star; "Golf in St Andrews is always special, but taking part in one of the game’s most iconic traditions is a memory I’ll cherish forever".
Since golf was first recorded on the Links in the early 15th century, the Old Course has evolved from the landscape itself, originally featuring outward and inward holes played to shared greens and fairways, a design that naturally supported play in both directions.
Advanced public packages for 2026 will be priced at £800 and include three rounds of golf from Sunday 19th to Tuesday 21st April, food & drink vouchers, and access to the Golf Academy. Applications for packages will open for a limited 48-hour window from 10:am on December 8, , closing at 10:00am on the 10th.
For more information on Old Course Reversed, visit https://standrews.com/old_course_reversed