The Himalayas aren’t just the tallest mountain range in Asia – they’re also a spectacular putting course within the famous Old Course at St. Andrews and West Sands beach. Making the green even more special is its role as the home of the Ladies Putting Club of St. Andrews, the oldest ladies’ golf club in the world.
Just a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Andrews, the Old Tom Morris “little course” built in 1867 as St. Andrews Ladies Golf Club, with the stated aim of providing the daughter members of the R&A with a suitable place to putt.
In 1904, the putting club had several hundred members, about a third of whom were men who were not considered full members but who helped score goals and were able to participate in other competitions. More than a century later, in 2010, the passing of the Equality Act by the UK Parliament stipulated that a club must decide whether it wants to be fully mixed-gender or single-gender. The Ladies Putting Club of St. Andrews decided on the latter.
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The club’s membership now stands at 142 ladies, mostly aged between 75 and 85, although there is at least one active member aged 93. The club’s putting season runs from April to the end of October, and there are two tournaments a week: Wednesday afternoon, which is played in twosomes over 36 holes, and a four-in-the-morning event with 18 holes. There are also inter-club matches between local clubs, including the R&A.
The locations of the course pits change weekly and are very varied. After each event, tea and coffee are served with cakes and biscuits, and prizes – including football markers, notepads and key chains – are awarded to the day’s winner.
The Himalayas Course is open to the public every day in season, with occasional members-only sessions. A cycle in the Himalayas is undoubtedly one of the best deals in the game. Prices are 4 GBP per round for adults and 2 GBP per round for adults and children under 16.
To find out more about the Ladies Putting Club of St. Andrews, check out “Challengers,” an award-winning video series from Charles Schwab that profiles innovators who are pushing the boundaries of the game. Among other pioneers from the series are academic photographer Evan Schiller and clothing brand Holderness & Bourne.
You can watch “Ladies of the Himalayas” in action here.
