of The old course is nurturing a new tradition. It began in 2024, when the Trust of St. Andrews Links turned back time by placing the old course in its original clockwise direction. The event aroused so much interest that the organizers decided to repeat it. The old returned course is now an annual occasion.
In 2026, it will return for a third rotation. The next edition of Old Course Reversed is set for April 19–21. Applications for it will be accepted during a 48-hour period starting at 10:00 GMT on December 8 and closing at the same time on December 10.
Like a trip of friends in a time machine, the event lets participants loose on the Old Course as it was played long ago, starting on the 1st tee and hitting what is now the 17th green, then the 16th and so on before ending on the 18th green. This is how things worked until about 1870, when Old Tom Morris shared the first and 17th greens. For much of the next century, the course was often played both ways. But the counterclockwise direction – the one used for everyday play and also as a Open Championship host site — eventually became the standard.
Now, all that is old becomes new again. Once a year.
Advanced Public Packages for 2026 are £800 and include three rounds during the three-day event (Sunday to Tuesday) on the Old Course, Old Course Reversed and Castle Course, plus food and drink vouchers and access to the practice pitches at St. Andrews Links Golf Academy.
GOLF.com was on hand for last year’s edition, capturing the stage and setup for the comeback. For a more detailed look at that experience, see full video on our YouTube channel below.
For more information – or to apply once the window opens – click here.
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