The club started in 1903 in central Hamilton and moved a couple of times before the vision and generosity of Harry Gillies saw it established on the St Andrews site in 1913.

St Andrews started life as an undulating links course, complete with more than 60 bunkers. Later trees were planted and some of the rough tamed. In recent years the course has been tweaked to improve playability and maintenance demands. Some of the famously feared bunkers have been reshaped or replaced with mown swales, some trees removed and a few tees stretched back. This major redevelopment project, in association with the Greg Turner Design, was completed in 2023.