A new program of schools launched by St Andrews links the trust, which creates pathways to golf for young people, has seen children take part with almost 60 students on the waiting list.
Female participation has been strong, with 44% of all participants being girls, including a group of dedicated girls at Madras College.
Launched in September 2025, the program is designed to introduce school children to the sport in an accessible and inclusive way. It has already made a huge impact on all three St Andrews primary schools: GreyFriars, Canongate and Lawhead, as well as the secondary school, and Madras College.
At the heart of the new After-School program which is delivered directly on the school grounds, it is designed to support the long established St Andrews links long golf program (SALJGA).
By bringing golf to familiar places, the trust offers children the chance to try the game for the first time in a good setting.
Sessions are led by “professionally trained professionals”, staff who deliver fun, engaging activities that provide the first step on the golf path.
This includes introducing participants to all aspects of the game, including putting, putting and the long game. Synchronization machines were used, and a selection of fun games was included in each lesson.
Starting in September, six sessions a week are being held at all four schools, giving students, many of whom have never held a golf club before, the opportunity to experience golf for the first time.
Laurie Watson, director of engagement at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm shown by the school children at St Andrews in this first year of our Schools Programme.
“Our aim is to provide an opportunity for every child in St Andrews to experience sport as it sounds, whether they develop new interests during golf, this program is about creating opportunities for young people.
“The response from schools, families and students has been overwhelming, and we are excited to continue this project in 2026.”
Alongside after-school clubs, the school system offers a wide range of learning and creative opportunities.
These include design and color schemes, a ‘play’ event, a fun and inclusive event organized at St Andrews linking the Golf Academy and where I love St Andrews, “the love of St Andrews,” the winning entry displayed on the Course.
The schools have been taking part in the first green field trip, where the primary classes visited St Andrews to check how the Green Greelers and West Sands Rangers use the principles of the title in their daily work.
Students learn about irrigation, state machinery, wildlife and wildlife, as well as bunker wakes and air conditioning, before taking a long golf course at the Academy.
Work experience opportunities have added another important aspect to the program, with seven students completing placements in the maintenance and sales department in 2025.
This hands-on experience provides a valuable insight into the various roles at St Andrews Links, and the trust hopes to extend placements to more departments in the near future.
After the success of this innovation program, the trust is planning the second block of the Schools Program, which is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2026.
