Following overwhelming demand in 2025, the Home of Golf has confirmed the return of Old Course Reversed in 2026
St Andrews Links Trust has announced that the hugely popular Old Course Reversed event will return in April 2026 for a third year, with applications opening on December 8th for a limited 48-hour period.
Thanks to the remarkable global interest in both 2024 and 2025, golfers from around the world will once again have the rare chance to experience the Old Course as it was originally played centuries ago, in its historic clockwise direction, affirming the Old Course Reversed event as a highlight within the Home of Golf’s annual calendar.
Due to the unique nature of the Old Course’s 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 anticlockwise layout became the norm in the 20th century.
In April 2026, golfers will again be able to step back in time and enjoy this historic routing with the reversed routing reinstated for three days on 17th, 18th, and 20th of April 2026, with the course 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 Saturday 18th April.
Laurie Watson, Director of Engagement at St Andrews Links 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 10am, Monday 8th December 2025, closing at 10am on Wednesday 10th (GMT).
For more information on Old Course Reversed, visit the St Andrews Links website here.
About St Andrews Links Trust
St Andrews Links Trust is responsible for the management and maintenance of the seven Links courses at St Andrews, including the world-famous Old Course.
St Andrews Links Trust manages a number of additional facilities including three clubhouses, a golf academy and five retail stores. More than 280,000 rounds are played over the seven courses attracting visitors from around the world to follow in the footsteps of the world’s greatest golfers and become a part of golf’s rich history. As a charitable trust, all surplus derived from the Trust’s commercial activities is reinvested into the preservation of the Home of Golf for current and future generations and to deliver the Trust’s charitable objectives.
St Andrews Links Trust Media Contact
David Connor
Head of Communications
M: +44 (0)7586 709796
E: david.connor@standrews.com
