{{Short description|Small stone bridge in St Andrews Links golf course, Scotland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Swilcan Bridge | native_name = | image = Swilken Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 999441.jpg | alt = | caption = Bridge crossing the Swilcan Burn | coordinates = {{Coord|56.3432|-2.8070|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = | carries = Pedestrians | crosses = Swilcan Burn | locale = Fife | other_name = The Swilken Bridge<ref name=bunker/><br>Golfers’ Bridge<ref name=bunker/> | named_for = | owner = | maint = | website = | preceded = | followed = | design = Arch | material = Stone | length = | width = | height = | mainspan = | number_spans = 1 | designer = | built = | begin = | complete = | cost = | opened = | inaugurated = | rebuilt = | collapsed = | destroyed = | closed = | demolished = | replaces = | replaced_by = | extra = }}
The '''Swilcan Bridge''' or '''Swilken Bridge''' is a small stone bridge on the 18th hole of the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland.<ref name="scot">{{cite web |url=https://xplorescotland.com/the-swilcan-bridge/|title=The Swilcan Bridge|publisher=Xplore Scotland |date=2 June 2025 |accessdate=3 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="bunker">{{cite web |title=The history of the Swilcan Bridge |url=https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/the-history-of-the-swilcan-bridge/ |publisher=Bunkered, PSP Media Group Limited |access-date=3 April 2026 |date=6 February 2023}}</ref> Existing in some form since the 15th century,<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/> the bridge is considered in golf to be a signature for one of the game's most famous, ancient holes.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/> The bridge had previously been known as the '''Golfers' Bridge''' for hundreds of years.<ref name=bunker/>
The bridge spans the Swilcan Burn and has become a legendary image in the sport of golf.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/><ref name="pga">{{cite web |url=http://www.pga.com/openchampionship/2010/news/swilcan-bridge-070910.cfm |title=Old Course's humble Swilcan Bridge one of golf's great attractions |publisher=PGA of America |first=Melanie |last=Hauser |date=9 July 2010 |accessdate=4 March 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709225308/http://www.pga.com/openchampionship/2010/news/swilcan-bridge-070910.html |archivedate=9 July 2015}}</ref> Since the 20th century, legends of professional golf and champions of The Open Championship held on the Old Course have posed on the bridge.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=pga/> The Swilcan Bridge is considered to be one of the most iconic symbols for golf and Scotland in the world.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/> thumb|190px|The Swilcan Bridge spanning the Swilcan Burn, with The Royal and Ancient clubhouse and the Hamilton Grand in the distance The bridge itself is small; at its furthest extent, it measures about {{cvt|30|ft|m}} long, {{cvt|8|ft|m}} wide, and {{cvt|6|ft|m}} tall, in the style of a simple Roman arch.<ref name=bunker/> Originally built at least 700 years ago to help shepherds get livestock across,<ref name=scot/> it has the modern photographic advantage of great backdrops on three sides: the course's grand Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and Hamilton Grand on one, often a packed grandstand of enthusiasts on another, and rolling hills facing toward the North Sea, on the third.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/>
The approach to the bridge was on turf, although there had been a stone path in the distant past.<ref name=bunker/><ref name="bbc">{{cite news| title=St Andrews Old Course bridge renovation compared to 'DIY patio' |work=BBC News | date=6 February 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-64538420}}</ref> Due to the prominence of the bridge, many people often congregated near it—for example to see and photograph players standing on it, and to stand on the bridge when golf was not being played—which caused the turf to become badly eroded.<ref name=bunker/> This was addressed by frequent returfing or reseeding of the area, and experimenting with artificial turf, but the problem remained.<ref name=bbc/> In 2023, the area that saw the most wear was paved with stone, as it had been in the distant past. This led to criticism that it looked like a "DIY patio".<ref name=bbc/>
It is customary for champions of golf to publicly show some sort of homage or respect to the structure. For example, in early July 2010 at The Open Championship, Tom Watson was photographed kissing the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Tiger-Woods-shows-respect-as-Tom-Watson-finishes?urn=golf,256546 |title=Tiger Woods shows respect as Tom Watson finishes at St. Andrews |work=Yahoo Sports |first=Jay |last=Busbee |date=16 July 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719081902/https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Tiger-Woods-shows-respect-as-Tom-Watson-finishes?urn=golf,256546 |archivedate=19 July 2010}}</ref> At the 2005 Open Championship, Jack Nicklaus gave his final farewell to professional golf while standing on the bridge.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/><ref name=pga/>
On the second floor of the World Golf Hall of Fame museum in St. Augustine, Florida, there is a life-size stone replica of the Swilcan Bridge, accompanied by a floor-to-ceiling photograph of the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and Hamilton Hall in the background.<ref name=bunker/><ref name=scot/><ref name=pga/>
==See also== *List of bridges in Scotland
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Swilken Burn footbridge, Old Course}}
{{St Andrews|state=collapsed}}
Category:Bridges in Fife Category:Stone bridges in Scotland Category:Arch bridges in Scotland Category:Pedestrian bridges in Scotland Category:St Andrews Category:History of golf Category:Golf culture