In the late nineteenth century, there were a total of twelve golf clubs in St Andrews, but the towns golfers' had no clubhouse. Instead, clubs met in bars or church halls. It was on this basis that members of many of the golf clubs came together at a meeting at the Royal Hotel in 1901, with the aim of securing a suitable property for a clubhouse.

Herbert Montague Singer was the chief mover, and it was he who found the premises - 3 Gibson Place. Immediately, a meeting was called of the 100 citizens who had indicated their intention to subscribe to the new club. This meeting took place in the Council Chambers on Thursday, 16th February 1902.

The origin of the club's name are uncertain. The Royal & Ancient was referred to as the Old Club, it was thus perhaps inevitable that the new club would always be referred to as the New Club.

The clubhouse has seen major developments over the years, but the member's lounge, where Old Tom Morris took his final fateful steps, remains unchanged, probably forever.