In its original configuration, the old course was played in the direction of clock scorpions.
Fred for good fortune
Old course. New technology.
This pairing of opposites has inspired a first -kind virtual competition that includes the ancient golf house. Now by the end of April, visitors to each moving range equipped with Toptracer tracking technology will have a chance to compete in a simulated version of Old course in St. Andrews in its opposite course. The player with the lowest gross score in this virtual configuration will win a sweet real world price: a time for two in the old course returned in 2026.
As many buffs of golf history know, the old course was originally played in a direction in the clock, starting from the first tee and playing in the 17th Green Green, then around the backward course, before ending in Green Green in the 18th. This changed in the 1860s, though, after the then Greenskeeper Old Tom Morris Divided the first and 17th greens, a tweak that caused the course players they know today. For decades later, play in the old course alternating between roads towards clock scorpions and clock scorpions, with the opposite option of clock scorpions eventually winning outside. 30th Open championships Scanned in the old course, they are all played in the clock course.
Last year, St. Andrews Trust revived the opposite course for three days in April, giving the public a blow to what was essentially a “lost” version of the old course. The demand for those limited tee times was so high that faith has turned the opposite course into an annual April offer, with tee Times provided through a lottery system.
And, now, a competition for 2026 (2025 repetition of the inverted old course is being held this week; it is sold).
As an official partner of St. Andrews Links, toptracer is the only platform that allows players to play a virtual version of the old course (and, this month, the old inverted course) in the direction. There are 1,250 toptracer strings all over the world, so finding one is relatively easy. Winning the competition is more challenging, but it is impossible if you do not enter. You can learn more about competition here
