Overland Park is a weird place for golf. It’s suburban, flat, and packed with courses that often feel like they were stamped out of a cookie cutter to sell real estate. But then there’s St Andrews. Not the one in Scotland. Obviously. This is the Overland Park version, and honestly, if you live in Johnson County and haven't spent four hours on these fairways, you’re missing the literal heartbeat of the local golf scene. It’s not a country club. It doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a muni—but a muni that actually gets it right.
St Andrews Golf Club in Overland Park is basically the "people's course."
It’s where you go when you want a challenge that doesn’t feel like a punishment. Most people think public golf means slow play and chewed-up greens. While the pace can get a little sluggish on a Saturday afternoon (prepare for a five-hour round if you tee off at noon), the conditions are consistently some of the best in the Kansas City metro for the price point.
Why St Andrews Golf Overland Park KS Stays So Busy
The secret is out. It’s been out for decades. Why do people keep coming back? It's the layout. Designed by Cecil Jarman, the course doesn't try to trick you with gimmicks. It’s a par 71 that plays about 6,600 yards from the back tees. That’s plenty of length for most of us mortals.
You’ve got water. You’ve got trees. You’ve got bunkers that actually have sand in them, which is a rarity for public tracks these days.
The front nine is relatively straightforward, but the back nine is where things get interesting. The par-5 14th hole is a beast if the wind is coming out of the south. You’re hitting into a prevailing breeze that makes the hole feel like it’s 700 yards long. Most regulars will tell you that if you can escape the "amen corner" of Overland Park—roughly holes 13 through 15—without a double bogey, you’re having a career day.
The Maintenance Factor
Let’s talk grass. Specifically, the greens. St Andrews has a reputation for having some of the truest-rolling public greens in Kansas. They aren't lightning-fast like a private club, but they are consistent. That matters. There’s nothing worse than hitting a perfect putt only to have it hop over a brown patch. You won't find much of that here. The maintenance crew, led by the city's parks and rec department, treats this place with a level of respect that usually costs double the greens fee elsewhere.
✨ Don't miss: El Paso Locomotive FC Standings: Why the 2025 Surge Changes Everything for 2026
It’s a busy place. They do over 60,000 rounds a year. That’s a staggering number. Think about the foot traffic. Despite that, the fairways hold up. It’s impressive, really.
The Vibe: No Snobs Allowed
If you show up in a designer polo and expect someone to carry your bags to the cart, you're in the wrong place. St Andrews is "bring your own energy." The clubhouse is functional. The pro shop is well-stocked but modest.
The grill room? That’s where the magic happens.
After a round, you’ll see construction workers sitting next to bank VPs. Everyone is just complaining about their slice over a burger and a cold drink. It’s egalitarian golf. That’s why St Andrews golf Overland Park KS is more than just a coordinate on a map; it’s a social hub.
The Practice Facilities
The driving range is fine. It’s a range. But the short game area is where you should spend your time. They have a massive putting green and a chipping area that actually lets you practice different lies. Most public courses give you a flat patch of dirt and call it a "practice green." St Andrews actually gives you slopes that mimic the course.
Use it. Seriously. The greens at St Andrews have some subtle breaks that will look flat until your ball suddenly veers three inches to the left at the cup.
🔗 Read more: Duke Football Recruiting 2025: Manny Diaz Just Flipped the Script in Durham
The Logistics of Playing a Round
Getting a tee time can be a nightmare if you aren't proactive. Because it's owned by the City of Overland Park, residents get a slight discount and earlier booking windows. If you’re a non-resident, you’ve gotta be quick on the website.
- Check the weather. Kansas wind is no joke.
- Book 7 days out.
- Show up 20 minutes early. The starter at St Andrews doesn't mess around; if you miss your window, you’re waiting until a gap opens up, which might be never.
The course is located at 11099 103rd St. It’s right in the middle of everything. You can finish a round and be at a dozen different great restaurants within five minutes. This convenience is a double-edged sword because it means the course is rarely, if ever, empty. Even on a Tuesday morning in November, you’ll find the die-hards out there in thermal gear.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Difficulty
A lot of golfers look at the scorecard and think they’re going to tear St Andrews apart. They see a 122 slope rating and think, "Easy."
Wrong.
The difficulty isn't in the length. It’s in the positioning. If you spray the ball off the tee, the mature trees will block your second shot every single time. You can't just "bomb and gouge" here. You have to play chess. The 18th hole is a perfect example. It’s a par 4 that requires a precise tee shot to avoid the water on the left and the trees on the right. It’s a nervous finish to a round, especially if you have a good score going.
Common Misconceptions
- It’s too crowded to enjoy. Kinda true, but if you play at 7:00 AM on a weekday, you can fly through.
- The pace of play is always bad. Only on weekend afternoons. Honestly, the marshals do a decent job of poking the slow groups.
- It’s just a flat field. Not even close. There are significant elevation changes, particularly on the back nine, that require you to adjust your club selection.
Real Advice for Your First Visit
Don't over-club on the par 3s. Most of them play slightly downhill or have greens that run front-to-back. If you hit it long, you’re dead. You’ll end up in thick rough or down a hill, facing a chip that has zero chance of stopping near the hole.
💡 You might also like: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
Also, watch out for the squirrels. I’m not kidding. The squirrels at St Andrews are bold. They will unzip your bag if they smell a granola bar. Keep your food zipped up or tucked away in the cart’s dash. I've seen a guy lose a sleeve of balls to a squirrel that seemingly just liked the taste of Titleists.
The Caddie Program and Junior Golf
One thing people often overlook is the commitment to the next generation. St Andrews hosts a lot of junior tournaments and has a robust caddie program during the summer months. Seeing kids out there learning the game the right way—walking the course, carrying bags—gives the place a classic feel that matches its "St Andrews" namesake. It’s one of the few places in Kansas City where the tradition of the game feels alive without the pretense of a $50,000 initiation fee.
Comparing St Andrews to Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
You can’t talk about St Andrews without mentioning its sibling course, Sykes/Lady. They are both city-owned, but they have very different personalities. Sykes/Lady is a 27-hole complex that feels a bit more "open." It's generally considered slightly easier for the high-handicapper because there’s more room to miss.
St Andrews is the "players" course. It’s tighter. It’s more wooded. If you want a casual, "I haven't swung a club in six months" round, go to Sykes. If you want to see where your game actually stands, head to St Andrews.
Why the Price Matters
In an era where green fees are skyrocketing to $80 or $100 for "premium" public courses, St Andrews stays grounded. You can usually walk for under $50, depending on the time and day. That value is unbeatable. You’re getting a championship-level layout for the price of a decent steak dinner.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Round
To get the most out of St Andrews Golf Club in Overland Park, stop treating it like a casual outing and start treating it like a strategic challenge.
- Download a GPS App: The yardage markers on the fairways are accurate, but the greens are deep. Knowing if the pin is tucked in the back or sitting on the front fringe will save you three strokes a round.
- Play the Correct Tees: Don't be the person hitting from the blacks if you can't carry the ball 240 yards. The forced carries on holes 14 and 18 will ruin your day.
- Trust the Local Knowledge: If the starter tells you the greens are "grainy toward the creek," listen to them. They aren't just making small talk.
- Visit the Grill: Get the breakfast burrito if you're there early. It's a local legend for a reason.
St Andrews isn't just a place to hit a ball into a hole. It's a community fixture. It represents the best of what public golf can be: accessible, well-maintained, and genuinely challenging. Whether you're a scratch golfer or someone just trying to break 100, the course offers a fair test that keeps you coming back—even after that quadruple bogey on 18.