Why play

The most exposed test on the peninsula

Built on a narrow strip of land between the New Course and St Andrews Bay, the Jubilee is the closest of the seven St Andrews links to the North Sea — and it plays like it. John Angus laid out the original 12 holes in under two months in 1897; Willie Auchterlonie reworked it after the war, and Donald Steel’s 1988 redesign raised the tees to championship standard, exposing golfers to the full wind off the bay in the process.

It belongs naturally in a longer stay where the Old Course is one part of the destination rather than the only objective.

Playing character

Flight control becomes central

The raised, exposed tees Steel built in are the course’s defining feature: spectacular views across the bay, but also full exposure to whatever the wind is doing. Choose clubs for trajectory and finish position rather than still-air yardage, and resist taking on a hazard simply because the hole looks reachable on paper.

Keeping the ball in play and accepting the occasional conservative target preserves a score when the wind turns difficult — and the challenge accumulates physically as well as technically over a full round here.

Who it suits

Choose it when the group wants a real test

Local opinion generally rates the Jubilee as the toughest of the St Andrews courses, so it suits confident golfers who enjoy exposed links conditions rather than a relaxed heritage round. Mixed groups should consider tee selection and forecast carefully, particularly if it sits late in a schedule already containing several walking days.

Stay · Play · Recover

Schedule the demanding days intelligently

A St Andrews itinerary can quickly become physically dense. Avoid placing every exposed or longer walking round back-to-back where possible, and use post-round hydration, mobility, nutrition and sleep as practical performance tools rather than optional extras.