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Jigger2 (-g-) n 2. (Bill. sl.) Device forming rest for the cue; (Golf) iron club with narrow face. 5. (small glass holding) measure of spirits.

These two definitions from the dictionary seem to explain the Jigger's name; it is a golfing establishment with a bias towards spirits. This pub, or rather Inn, which seems to suit the place more, is situated out from the town centre, but no so far away that the distance can't be conquered with a short picturesque walk along the edge of the 17th and 18th fairways of the Old Course. Now follows a short public service announcement: It is perhaps not sensible to attempt to reach the bar at the Jigger if you are nearing the end of your evening - worse for wear, you might just find your way into the road hole bunker, where, should your acquaintances not be one hundred percent sober either, you might only be discovered the next time an American tourist hits a wayward shot.

The Jigger's presence in this fine town seems to be unknown to many a student and I only discovered its delights from being so bad at golf. Whilst at the driving range, one of the members of staff (from the driving range), after watching me succeed in hitting over one hundred balls to the same position on the path alongside the range, suggested that I watch out next time I take that particular route. This I duly did on my way back to Chattan, leading to my discovery. When you meet the Jigger's staff, you will find out that they quite like the idea that not many students know how to find them.

From the outside of the public house you get the impression that this is a golfing establishment through and through – being right next to the hotel and golf course – and you'd be correct. On entering, you'll be hit first by how small it seems, though on further investigation it is indeed larger. The size, or rather lack of size, is not a bad point against the Jigger. It adds to the homely atmosphere that this old place seems to have – provided in part by the two open log fires. What you might next notice is what adorns the walls. There are golf balls and memorabilia from almost every, if not all, known golf courses of any repute in Scotland, including the Old Course and Kingsbarns. All presented in glass cases, this seems to entice the predominantly American and Asian tourists who come to "The Home of Golf" out to drink. The Jigger even boasts golfer Sandy Lyle as a customer.

The Jigger is itself a part of St Andrews history, dare I say it is actually a museum. A museum with a collection of alcoholic customers and stuffy curators. A few minutes taken out of your drinking session will tell you that. The Inn was in a former life the St Andrews train station. I am still unsure whether the Jigger's current aim in life is as valuable as that of the train station. My out of term abode is not far off and a bus to Leuchars to catch the train there is almost half the fare of my train journey home. But enough of my own personal grievances.

The seating inside is good enough though not what you would call spacious, unless you are under four foot that is. But then squashing together does make for a more intimate, if less comfortable experience. The cigar smoke extractor suspended to the right of the bar seems indicative of the Jigger's clientele; many must-be-nearly-sixty-year-old peroxide blondes dressing like they are still in their twenties and smooth talking Americans (no – not the JYAs in case you had started to notice the similarities!) can be found occupying many of the bar stools that litter the entrance area.

The bar itself has a decent range of on tap drinks including Guinness (£2.40) and Belhaven Best (£2.20) though I usually settle for the Carlsberg at £2.20 a pint. They seem prepared for every eventuality when it comes to spirits, though that, as with the golf covered walls, comes from the name (see earlier if you've forgotten already). Beware of the Coke. They are partial to serving very small glass bottles of the world's favourite "soda", and at similar prices as a pint of the stuff in the union. On the food front, the Jigger fails miserably. Looking at the prices, I wondered if I was getting the meals brought through from the Old Course Hotel itself. With cheese and oatcakes £3 and no main courses much short of a tenner – even for burger and chips or a club sandwich – any student would be put off. I did, however, let my investigative journalism get the better of me and I ordered a soup of the day and cheese toastie (£3 and £4 respectively). Great was my disappointment when I was informed that they only had one sausage roll and some bacon left, two items that didn't even appear on the menu. I declined.

Possibly the most important aspect of the pub, alongside drinks prices, is the toilets. The toilets are a fair size and are kept very clean – something that can't be said about the Jigger's tables most of the time. Paper towels and blowers are at hand (!) to dry up and the staff have even supplied liquid soap from the famous London brand Molton Brown. Really there are no complaints, besides the strong smell of camomile.

Entertainment, other than that of your own or of your friends making, is distinctly lacking. Occasionally you may, if you listen carefully, hear a few songs which, as well as being unidentifiable, never seem to finish completely before a new one appears in its place.

Moving outside, the Jigger has a number of sets of garden furniture, though as you would expect from somewhere in such close vicinity to a very expensive hotel, it is of a superior quality to anything you might find at, say for example, The Keys, if they indeed had an outside area. The outside seating is accompanied by two large gas heaters providing tropical style temperatures.

The Jigger's set up gives you near dramatic views across the world famous Old Course, the New club house and should you sit near enough the wall, you can see Hamilton hall and the R&A. It is not recommend to sit too close to the wall though since one will be directly between the 17th tee and green. And with a less than completely accurate shot from one of the golfers, it is possible to find yourself with severe injuries but this time directly attributable to alcohol. This scenario, needless to say, is not very likely, though my room mate in first year did witness someone being struck down on the path adjacent to the Inn. Still outside, to your left is a magnificent water feature comprising two small ponds and two fountains that vary in size, something that Charlie Dimmock would be proud of. This has to be credited to the hotel, but it still adds to the atmosphere, especially on a warm summer's day when you know you should be finishing all the essays off.

All in all the Jigger is a really nice place. Quiet and not unfriendly, if you can ignore the occasional disdainful glance, then an enjoyable drink can be had. But that's all the Jigger is: a nice place.

A final note for the students: Bringing up your drinks doesn't seem to be frowned upon here. It has been known for customers, complete in their plus fours and golfing cap, to be discovered retching in the flower beds at the front of the Inn!