The Plan of Pilmoor Links | Travel + Leisure
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The Plan of Pilmoor Links

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One of my favorite aspects of the research was finding the many graphic representations of the Old Course. As snapshots in time, they proved a terrific way to trace the course’s evolution. From quirky hand-painted maps and Alister MacKenzie’s magisterial 1924 rendering to modern satellite imagery, each has its own visual style and distinct manner of organizing information.

My favorite is the Plan of Pilmoor Links. (Before the New Course opened in St. Andrews in 1895, the Old Course was known simply as the Links.) Apart from being beautifully drawn, this plan is the first to significantly document the course, its boundaries and length. Surveyed by A. Martin on December 8, 1821, it shows the area of the links that had been purchased by James Cheape, who dedicated the land exclusively to golf.

The plan was the first to situate the Swilcan Bridge in its present location, and it tells us, among other things, the width of the links and the length of the holes. The course at that time was 3,189 yards out, and because that same land was used on the way back, doubling this number gives us the yardage for eighteen holes. The breadth of the holes varied. Generally the width of the golfing land was between 120 yards and 160 yards. However, due to the extent of the whins (gorse), the playing area was almost certainly a good deal tighter.

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