OLD COURSE ST ANDREWS
The Old Course St Andrews is surely the Mecca of the golfing world. Golf has been played here for over six centuries on a course that wasn’t architect-designed, but rather has evolved over time out of the natural terrain.
Starting and finishing in the town, it is renowned for its huge double greens meaning that a golfer may face a 100-yard putt, compact shared fairways, and massive bunkers (of which there are 112).
The 17th hole is often voted the toughest par 4 in golf, with the tee shot having to cut over part of the famous hotel, whilst the Road Hole bunker and the road itself await any loose shot into the green.
A definite on any visiting golfer’s itinerary, this famous course has hosted The Open on 29 occasions and will host once again in 2021, which will be the 150th Open.
CASTLE COURSE ST ANDREWS
Designed by David McLay Kidd and opened to the public in the summer of 2008, the Castle Course is the newest addition to the St Andrews portfolio.
Situated on the east side of the town, the course offers spectacular views of the famous old town of St Andrews, St Andrews Bay and over towards Carnoustie. The course takes its name from Kinkell Castle, which, five hundred years ago, stood on a headland two miles southeast of the town centre where the new layout begins.
The Castle Course offers golfers an excellent alternative to playing the older, more traditional courses when visiting St Andrews.
NEW COURSE ST ANDREWS
Designed by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1895, this is hardly a ‘new’ course! It is, in fact, a classic links course and a first-class golfing challenge. With the traditional out and back layout, the New is characterised by well-designed greenside and fairway bunkers, and tough homeward holes. Although overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour, the New Course is a must play for any golfer visiting the town of St Andrews.
JUBILEE COURSE ST ANDREWS
Originally opened on Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and designed for ladies and children, the Jubilee Course underwent a re-design by Donald Steel in 1988 and is now reputed to be the toughest of the St Andrews championship links.
Created on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the New Course, the raised tees provide great views but also expose golfers to prevalent winds, which sweep in from the bay. Any golfer visiting St Andrews should play at least one round of golf on the challenging Jubilee Course.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Six miles south of St Andrews lies Kingsbarns, possibly the last true links to be developed in Scotland. In fact, Kingsbarns’ golf origins go back some 200 years when it was home to a nine- hole course and golf club.
The new revival is heralded as a truly spectacular and worthy addition to the legendary St Andrews portfolio. Embracing the sea as it does, the layout is superb with each hole offering a great sea view, and seven of them actually playing over or alongside the sea.
The course design provides great variety and presents a stiff golfing challenge balanced by generous greens and wide fairways. Kingsbarns blends together all the advantages of a modern course with the traditional features of an old links course.
Carnoustie
While celebrated as one of the great venues in championship golf, Carnoustie must also be regarded as one of the most demanding. This is a tough golf course that few have tamed and it is often described as Scotland’s ultimate golfing challenge.
Carnoustie is truly a great test for the able golfer and it is neither for the novice nor the faint hearted, although everyone who loves and enjoys the game will marvel at its intricacies. It is simply a ‘must’ for the avid player; as Hogan said, ‘No player’s experience can be complete without playing Carnoustie’.
Fashioned by Old Tom Morris in 1857, and extended by James Braid in 1926, Carnoustie has played host to several Open Championships.
The Kittocks at the Fairmont
Opened in 2002, the Kittocks Course (formerly The Devlin) at Fairmont St Andrews is relatively new to the St Andrews golf portfolio. Set on elevated ground next to the cliff tops, this amazing location gives spectacular views of the town of St Andrews from the eastern side. The Kittocks has been constructed in an American style with man-made lakes, but the layout still honours the traditions of St Andrews with two double greens and numerous pot bunkers.
The Torrence at the Fairmont
The Torrance Course is one of two courses that are part of the Fairmont resort on the outskirts of St Andrews.
Originally designed by Sam Torrance, the course has recently been re- designed with 8 new holes and now includes classic Scottish revetted bunkering throughout. This exciting championship course, used for Open Championship qualification, is a great test of golf and has stunning views across the bay to St Andrews and Carnoustie.
The Torrance Course has also been host to the Scottish Senior Open Championship.
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