St Andrews — Castle Course¶
The newest and most theatrical St Andrews course: a bold, modern clifftop links built by David McLay Kidd (of Bandon Dunes fame), opened 2008 as the Links Trust's seventh course. Heaving fairways, big contoured greens and sea views from every hole on the headland two miles east of town. Signature hole: the par-3 17th "Braes" — 184 yards with views across the bay.
Location¶
Clifftop about 2 miles east of St Andrews town centre — 5–10 minutes by car. Map.
The Course¶
Par 71, 6,759 yds from the back tees. Modern links: wide from the tee but wildly contoured, with greens that punish the wrong side. The signature par-3 17th "Braes" — 184 yards over a yawning ravine to a cliff-edge green; the 9th and 18th share a giant double green on the water's edge; the 6th is a semi-blind drive over a steep hill. Closed November–February.
History¶
David McLay Kidd, 2008 — his follow-up to Bandon Dunes, built on "a hill of rotten rock" with more than a mile of waterfront. Not yet a championship venue; Golf Monthly UK&I Top 100 #95 (2025/26). No official hole names published.
Scorecard¶
White tees (source: BlueGolf, official Links Trust data):
| Hole | Par | SI | Yds | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 9 | 346 | 316 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 404 | 369 |
| 3 | 3 | 15 | 202 | 185 |
| 4 | 5 | 7 | 540 | 494 |
| 5 | 5 | 1 | 536 | 490 |
| 6 | 4 | 13 | 421 | 385 |
| 7 | 4 | 5 | 456 | 417 |
| 8 | 3 | 17 | 141 | 129 |
| 9 | 4 | 11 | 381 | 348 |
| 10 | 3 | 12 | 167 | 153 |
| 11 | 4 | 4 | 402 | 368 |
| 12 | 4 | 8 | 454 | 415 |
| 13 | 3 | 18 | 179 | 164 |
| 14 | 4 | 14 | 400 | 366 |
| 15 | 5 | 2 | 585 | 535 |
| 16 | 4 | 16 | 406 | 371 |
| 17 | 3 | 6 | 184 | 168 |
| 18 | 5 | 10 | 555 | 507 |
Playing It¶
Green fees: £180 (2026, high season); £90 low season; around £55 winter. No handicap certificate required. Book online at standrews.com.
Getting There¶
Car or taxi from town; parking at the course.
Notes¶
The spectacle pick — if the group wants drama and views over Old Tom subtlety, this is it.