Kittocks (Fairmont St Andrews)
Duke’s (St Andrews)
The Duke’s is not part of the St Andrews Links Trust, nor is it
a links, but neither fact should detract from the quality and
intrigue of a course opened in 1995, and designed by five time
Open winner, Peter Thomson. The Duke’s lies inland and is best
described as a muscular heathland course, routed through gentle
hills overlooking the town. The essence here is to take the course
back to a bygone era and the 118 jagged bunkers certainly help
in that regard. They add shape and drama to holes and plotting
your way through them is hugely rewarding. Trees also frame
the course and it is a charming respite from non-stop links golf
nearby. An impressive clubhouse awaits and the balcony offers
wonderful views over the course, towards St Andrews and the
North Sea.
St Andrews (New)
Another of the misnomers, the ‘New’ course was designed
by Old Tom Morris in 1895. The courses at St Andrews do not
present many elevation changes and that is true here, but there
are plenty of other challenges because greens are small and the
gorse still creates blind shots… which means that navigating your
way around these tight fairways calls for precision. The New sits
alongside the Old, and while the terrain and out and back layout
demonstrate similarities the two offer unique experiences. The
Old feels more open and forgiving but here accuracy is key,
and many locals prefer to play it for that reason and its prettier
characteristics: the gorse adds colour and depth, while the dunes
out at the turn are home to the shapeliest holes… where the par
three 9th green sits in a bowl, next to the Eden Estuary.
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Torrance (Fairmont St Andrews)
The name says it all, although Sam Torrance didn’t do it alone… being ably
assisted by Denis Griffiths and Gene Sarazen. You get a wonderful flavour
as you drive passed the hotel and see several holes. It’s a strong appetiser
and while the opening holes are on the higher slopes, near the hotel, the
back nine stretches away towards St Andrews and down to the clifftops.
Fairmont’s two courses bear similarities (conditioning and the golden
grasses, most notably), but some deep revetted bunkers and slippery
greens make the Torrance a tougher proposition than the Kittocks. Smart
routing makes the back nine an interesting affair, especially when you
play the downhill par four 16th. Pause for a moment and look towards St
Andrews – it’s an impressive site. There are plenty of stone walls on the
Torrance, too, and they frame the par three 17th perfectly.
Kittocks (Fairmont St Andrews)
Of Fairmont resort’s two courses, Kittocks boasts the greater shape
and elevation. From the clubhouse and on the way to the 1st tee
you will get a real taste for this with several holes on display… but
you still haven’t seen the best the course has to offer as they are
hidden away beyond a deep fissure, known as Kittock’s Den, and
even closer to the sea. Course maintenance is fabulous, the sleeper-
faced bunkers look the part, as does the golden fescue, and the two
double greens are a smart tip of the hat to the Old Course. After
a smooth start, the thrills quickly build as holes move from higher
ground down to the low cliffs. The closing four holes, next to the
clubhouse and overlooking the North Sea, promise an exhilarating
finish.