St Andrews Watering Holes

In my opinion, a round of golf is not completed until you have washed it down with a cold pint of Tennents lager. St Andrews is not only known for world-class golf, but it is also blessed with some fantastic bars and pubs. Within a five minute walk of the 18th of The Old Course you will find twenty or so bars, all of whom have been lucky enough to do business with me... many on several occasions.

The most famous of them all is probably The Dunvegan. It sits on the corner of North Street and Golf Place, a mere nine-iron from the 18th green (this has actually been proven, and the said implement hangs on the wall above the corner snug). Jack and Sheena are amiable, colloquial hosts who give the same time and hospitality to every customer. The framed photos of many of the world's best golfers adorn the golf-themed interior, including pictures of the owners enjoying a drink with Arnold Palmer, Tiger, Payne Stewart and Fred Couples to name but a few. These four walls have probably heard every golf yarn ever told. Many of the St Andrews caddies meet here for bacon rolls and coffee in the morning before attempting something a little stronger post-round. Add all this atmosphere to arguably the best steak in town, and you have one of the most talked about golfing pubs in the world.

During my University years, the liveliest bar in town was The Pilmour - just around the corner on North Street. Kenny and Lenny were the guys at the helm, and they got this place so busy that it was often known to run out of glasses and ice! It was one of the few bars where students, locals and visiting golfers all got inebriated in perfect harmony. Unfortunately such a good time was had that it caused two separations, one divorce and a major shortening of many people's life expectancy. How I miss sitting at the bar in my softspikes, chatting to the tourists about their day on the Old Course. I probably learnt more in The Pilmour that I did in four years at St Andrews University. Kenny now has a great little pub just two streets across at the Westport, named Drouthy Neebors. Call in and have a pint, you will be made more than welcome.

Connoisseur Golf enjoy a special relationship with the New Golf Club, and our clients can utilize a temporary clubhouse membership here throughout their trip. You can even sit at the window seat, where Old Tom Morris had his very last drink before falling down the stairs on his way to the toilet. It's a great place to watch the 1st and 18th holes, and the food from executive chef Martin Reid is some of the best in town.

If only golf was played over 19 holes, I still may be able to hold my own.