The Swilcan Bridge is one of golf’s most photographed landmarks?

The small stone Swilcan Bridge, which crosses the Swilcan Burn between the 1st and 18th fairways of the Old Course at St Andrews, is thought to be more than 700 years old. Long before golf was played on the links, the bridge was built to allow shepherds and farmers to cross the stream while moving livestock across the common grazing land.

What began as a simple medieval footbridge has become one of the most iconic landmarks in all of sport. For generations, golfers have paused on the bridge to reflect on their round, while many of the game’s greatest champions have stopped there during The Open Championship. Perhaps the most famous moment came in 2005, when Jack Nicklaus waved farewell to the galleries after what he believed would be his final Open at St Andrews. Today, crossing the Swilcan Bridge is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for golfers, symbolizing a connection to more than six centuries of golfing history.