Old Course

derekinstandrews

01 Oct 2026

Dunhill Cup on the Old Course

4

4

Date of visit: October 2026

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

I use or have experience of: mobility scooter

Overall Rating

Good

Opening day of the Dunhill Cup, a pro and pro-am golf tournament played on three different courses on both sides of the Tay. This year is the 25th tournament, and we decided to go to the Old Course here in St Andrews.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

I was able to ride on paved paths from holes 1 to 18 with only a fee exceptions. I had to negotiate grass alongside the first hole, which was OK. At the 17th green (the Road Hole) I had to negotiate a sloping grass surface with quite a few able bodied spectators oblivious to my route taken. Then I had to run up alongside the 18th to get past high pavement curbs, before returning to the 18th tee area. I don't think the organisers had considered scooters or wheelchair users. We only saw one other scooter (on the outward holes, where there were no issues) and a few rollators. I have used a rolllator at the Old Course in the past, and again negotiating the grandstand in front of the 17th green is the hardest part.

Accessible facilities: Step-free access to most areas

Parking & Transport

Average

I travelled to this place by walk or wheel

We live just under a mile from the Old Course so I rode in on my mobility scooter, while my wife walked alongside. The Dunhill Cup lacks some of the features of the Open Championships here, when shuttle buses connect disabled parking and drop offs at the entry turnstiles. Just drop offs today and ordinary parking next to the West Sands, which we didn't use.

Accessible facilities: Drop-off or pick up point

Accessible Toilets

Average

We did not use. There seemed to be quite a lot of temporary toilet cabins along the course paths, but accessible toilets would be the very few permanent ones at the club house or beach cafe areas.

Staff

Good

A stewards at the 13th tee let us use the staff's buggy route as the spectator route involved a steep grassy climb. The problem is that certain tees (eg 13 and 17) have been extended back beyond the paved path (because professional players drive the ball so far these days) and the paths in a very few places are inside the rope. Common sense prevailed today.

Additional Information

I hope others with scooters or rollators are encourages to attebd such events. The Dunhill Cup is free entry on days one to three, and because play is spread over three different courses the crowds are much lighter than at an Open or other large tournament.