St Andrews Old Course History Tour with Richard Falconer: A Deep Dive into Golf Heritage

Experience the ultimate golf history tour with Richard Falconer, author and historian. Learn about the origins and development of golf at the iconic St Andrews Old Course and discover the Open and Dunhill history. Join now!

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hotel du Vin St Andrews - Meet Richard at the front of the hotel to begin your shared tour. Please be punctual as these public tours will not wait. Tour start: Get an overview of the town’s history leading to the 1123 Links charter.
  • The Links - Explore the origins and early development of golf, from the 13th-century stick and ball games in…
What's Included
  • Professional local guide/historian - 1980s Old Course Caddie
  • Professionally taken photo on the Swilkan Bridge (excludes tournament days)
Additional Information

These are award-winning bucket list tours led by Richard Falconer, a renowned author, historian, guide, and former Old Course Caddie from the 1980s.
Designed for those with a keen interest in golf, participants will explore the origins and evolution of the game and the Old Course, covering a timeline from the 13th to the 20th century. The tour also…

Location
Hotel du Vin St Andrews
The Scores
Meeting point: Hotel du Vin, 40 The Scores, St Andrews. Richard will see you outside the front of the Hotel for your shared tour. Please be on time as these public tours will not wait. The hotel is also open to the public for refreshments (not included).
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(150 Ratings)
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Dawna_k
Nov 10, 2025
great knowledge and experience. - Our guide was a retired caddie from the old course and soooooo knowledgeable. He was a great story teller and could answer all of our questions. It was a great experience especially for my husband who was in awe of everything. it was great for me who knows nothing about golf AND my husband who is a golfer.
Review provided by Viator
Donna_b
Oct 12, 2025
Top Notch Tour! - This tour was excellent for both the golfers and non-golfers in our family. Lots of history - both old and recent, filled with facts, great photo opportunities. We toured in Sunday, so we’re able to walk the course without interrupting play. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Tour is at a pace thats comfortable with frequent stops to learn. This was a bucket list tour for my husband and didn’t disappoint!
Review provided by Viator
Jamesp_b
Oct 2, 2025
Golf experience - Perfect amount of time good direction on how to experience the Old Course after tour was complete . 1 good time
Review provided by Viator
Michele1959
Oct 2, 2025
Great Tour! - Our guide Richard provided great history on the course and St Andrew’s, he was very informative with funny stories. Unfortunately due to a tournament we could not get actually on the course but could walk the perimeter. Good tour to take!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ron_r
Sep 26, 2025
The amount of history... - The amount of history given in such a short period of time was staggering!!! Thank you Richard for the interesting history lesson!!
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_s
Sep 26, 2025
This tour was great! - This guy is so knowledgeable about history and the golf course! He doesn’t waste time for pictures (only when we did not have to wait around). He was entertaining as well!
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_w
Sep 24, 2025
Great experience - He tied legend into reality, which was an amazing attribute or amazing thing to hear about Saint Andrews. Highly recommend it was a wonderful tour. The chance of a lifetime and our guide was wonderful.
Review provided by Viator
Vincent_t
Sep 20, 2025
Richard was our guide and... - Richard was our guide and his knowledge and experience as a caddy really added to our tour of the Old Course. His knowledge and ability to tell the story of the history of the Old Course and golf provided a new appreciation even for the experience amateur golfer. He has a Great sense of humor and true appreciation for the history of the Old Course and game of golf which he passed on to the group; we loved stories he shared of his experiences over the years —really and informative and fun afternoon!
Review provided by Viator
Cynthia_p
Sep 23, 2025
Take it or leave it - Nice enough guy, but definitely had a spiel. Spoke very rapidly and didn’t invite questions. Everywhere you go is accessible to the public as long as you don’t interrupt play (marshals will instruct you). Was just OK, while I learned a few things, info conveyed could have been done in half the time.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_f
Sep 26, 2025
St. Andrews Golf - The tour guide talked very fast and of the 4 of us, 1 of us maintained interest. That was only because he is a Golf Professional. The Pics on the Swilkin Bridge was the highlight. The information was interesting but hard to keep up with. Would do it again with another tour guide.
Review provided by Viator
From $21
up to 15 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).