Just ten minutes of walking from the centre of St Andrews and you can find yourself at the Himalayas, or as the locals know it the St Andrew’s Ladies Putting Club.
There is both a nine-hole and an 18-hole option, to play. The course is open to anyone over the age of three. However, they do ask that younger players stick to the shorter route. However, just because the course is open to younger golfers, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that means it’s easy. This course is a challenge no matter what your skill level is. More to the point, though, it’s a fun way to spend your time.
Every Wednesday, the course is changed. So even if you’ve been before you’ll face a new challenge when you return.
A quick word of warning. The course is great fun. However, this means that it gets busy. Consequently, be prepared to queue or try to opt for off-peak times if you don’t want to wait. The course is located right between the Old Course and the West Sands, so there are plenty of excellent views to soak in.
Their opening times vary throughout the year, and there are times where the course is closed for tournaments and members-only sessions. It’s a good idea to check before you go to ensure you can get in.
During the summer (April - September) the usual opening times are 10:30 am to 6/6:30pm Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the course doesn’t usually open until noon. You can easily walk to the course form St Andrews but, if you need to drive there is free parking on site.
One of the reasons this is such a popular activity is that it is a very low-cost option to play. For adults it’s £3 and for under 12s and seniors it’s a mere £1. It is almost certainly the cheapest, and most enjoyable round of golf you can find in Scotland. So much so that the Himalayas goes as far to say it is the best value entertainment in St Andrews!