 Tell us about the courses you've played around St Andrews. Which do you recommend and why.
|
 |
 Played the Dukes last March, £30 deal. If you've ever imagined what it would be like to play golf in a huge chocolate fudge cake, this was it. Horrific.  Alistair Tait, in Golfweek, writing about the CastleCourse :- <blockquote> With the Castle Course, I felt as if I’d need a few rounds to get the lay of the land.
I’d certainly need more than a few rounds to get used to the greens. Kidd must have been in a funky mood when he designed these, for they might be the most undulating greens I’ve ever played.
The note I jotted on my course guide regarding the fifth green consists of one word: “stupid.” The course guide describes this as a “bowl.” I’d agree if it read, “bowl that’s bent out of shape.” Think of wacky bowls where the sculptor takes the wet clay mold and stretches it in different directions.
|
|
 John Huggan has also put the boot into the Castle Course - he made similar comments about the greens, and like Tait criticised the bearded mounds that dot the fairways. Hit a good drive (and many are blind), and you could end up buried in knee-high rough in the middle of the fairway. I bet these mounds are gone by this time next year. I played The Devlin for the first time earlier this year, and my verdict is "not bad". Some good holes, some bland. The fairway grass still seems a little threadbare, giving it that "new course" feel (even if it has been open a few years now!). Greens were good, I like the pace (quite fast) and the ball rolled well.
|
|
the pro at our place has the same thoughts - greens are too undulating and the furry mounds stupid. talked to someone from the club and was answered 'they add character'!!
|
|
I think Mr McClay-Kidd would be well advised to spend an hour in the company of the ghosts of Harry Colt and Alister McKenzie.
|
|
I have just got back from having played all three at Carnoustie and the New, Jubilee and for a £40 surcharge on our 3 day ticket the long awaited Castle Course! The first thing to say about the Castle Course is that the facilities and club house are second to none!!! You get there and it is pure class with a very smart changing room / toilets. You get changed and walk outside to a driving range with a perfect mat that you can tee up in and a pyramid of balls for free. It is classy. You walk to the tee get handed pitchmark repairer, pencil, course guide, pin sheet and scorecard and away you go! Im not going to go into detail about the course other than to say the greens are too much!! Re-lay them and you will have a superb course!! The setting is fantastic, the views out of this world, but putts were silly and getting up and down was nigh on impossible!! £120 is too much but £40 extra wasnt too bad for the experiance. Personally I prefered the New and the Jubilee to the Castle,which just felt a bit gimmicky. Obviously golf courses are very personal things and others may love it but for me it looked great, had great views but just didnt play as well as the other courses we played!!!
|
|
 Played the Old Course on Friday magic pure unadulterated magic
|
|
Tilly, you're a lucky git , the weather looked fine according to the webcam
|
|
 Kingsbarns takes some beating. Great layout, views, condition and a really friendly clubhouse with great grub. It is expensive though, but well worth it. I even putted well!!
|
|
The weather was great Ian perfect for golf not too warm not too cold with a gentle breeze its was just great . Mind you went to Doonbeg for the weekend and got pissed on if it makes you feel better.
|
|
Yeah it does
|
|
 Played the Old and New courses last week too. Old is an experience but not as tough as one might think. The New is much tighter and reminded my of my home track, Prince's, in many places.
Lashing a perfect drive off the first is one for the scrapbook. Our 4 ball nailed all our shots down towards the Swilken Bridge. Quite a rare achievement judging by the number of people that missed the fairway both left and right...
The Castle opened the first day we were in SA, so nothing to report. Will play it next year - remember September 5th, folks!
|
|
Kingsbarns is by far and away the best course in the St Andrews area. Superb facilities, amazing course always in perfect condition. Staff are superb and make you feel as though you are playing a course which is that bit special....and of course you are! Pay the money you won't be disappointed.
|
|
|
|
|
