Old Course Hotel

36 holes of golfing brilliance, Monifieth Golf Club has 2 exquisite 18 hole layouts – the Medal course and the Ashludie. And you definitely need to play both of them on your visit to the area.

 

The Medal course is the traditional layout with the opening holes running alongside the railway making the tee-shot a bit more intimidating. Coupled with the sand dunes on the opposite side and the fairway appears very narrow. Once you manage to get the ball in play, the greens are guarded by bunkers meaning you’ve got to get creative. Turning for home, the par 4’s on the inward 9 are easy on the eye but a little less easy to play. It craves an accurate tee-shot leaving a mid iron into the green. The 18^th is a favourite hole, a par 5 which should present an opportunity for birdie. There is danger but 2 good swings and 2 putts will leave you with a smile on your face.

The Ashludie course is the shorter of the 2 – at 5100 yards it looks easy on the scorecard but with a whipping wind and a series of doglegs, not to mention the brilliant bunkering and testing greens then the course is far from simple. It demands a variety of shots but nonetheless it is fun course to play and enjoy.

If you wish to play 36 holes in the one day, the Monifieth combination is perfect for you!

Distance From Course: 10 miles

One of the newest and most exciting golf course projects in Scotland, Dumbarnie Links opened in Spring of 2020 and is already quickly becoming a must play golf course as part of your golf break in St Andrews alongside Kingsbarns and the famous Old Course itself.

More about Dumbarnie Links

Distance From Course: 9 miles

Sam Torrance was commissioned to design this superb championship layout, home of The Scottish Senior Open 2012.  It now features eight new holes and is regarded as among the top golf courses in the UK.

Distance From Course: 3 miles

Gene Sarazen designed The Kittocks and he has made the most of this spectacular piece of land.  Players will enjoy wonderful views over Fife`s golfing coastline, some challenging new holes, superb greens and fairways, all just a few minutes from the historic university town of St Andrews.

Distance From Course: 3 miles

The Dukes Course belongs to the Old Course Hotel and sits high above the famous town of St Andrews.  It is widely regarded as being among the best heathland courses in the UK and has been improved over the years to provide an excellent alternative the huge variety of links golf available in this most famous of golfing regions.  The course is defined by its length - its over 7500 yards from the tips, the large waste bunkers that feature on several holes and the spectacular views of St Andrews.  There is a fantastic clubhouse with luxurious locker rooms and a great restaurant and if you`re lucky enough to be staying in the hotel, you`ll enjoy free transfers to and from the course. 

Distance From Course: 2 miles

 Crail Golfing Society was founded in 1786 and is the 7th oldest golf club in the world.  The Balcomie Links was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895 and the new Craighead course, designed by world renowned architect Gil Hanse, was opened for play in 1998.

Balcomie has 3 par fives, 6 par threes and 9 par fours making it an unusual layout.  Unusual certainly doesn`t mean easy as the natural links land, cleverly positioned bunkers and shots over rocky bays put a premium on accuracy.

Craighead offers players stunning views from every hole and designer, Gil Hanse, has remained true to the traditions of the game.  there are no trees to protect shots from the reliable but fluky winds, deep bunkers and wikedly sloping greens.

This stretch of coast is home to some of the world`s most famous courses and both courses at Crail sit comfortably among their more illustrious neighbours.

Distance From Course: 9 miles

Scotscraig is another of the R&A`s preferred final qualifying venues for the Open Championship.  It last hosted this prestigious tournament in 2010 - the year Louis Oosthuizen defeated a distant Lee Westwood at the main event over the Old Course, St Andrews.

The course is, strictly speaking, a heathland layout, but it proximity to the North Sea coast means you will have to deal with a fairly reliable sea breeze and fairways that bear more than a passing resemblance to their link-land cousins.

The 4th and 14th holes are particularly good, the first demanding accuracy to avoid deep riveted bunkers and the latter requiring a combination on power an accuracy to conquer its considerable 523 yard length. 

Distance From Course: 7 miles

Quite simply, one of Scotland’s modern greats and most sought-after golf experiences in the country, let alone St Andrews. Kingsbarns is located on 1.8 miles of pristine coastline and is only 7 miles from St Andrews itself meaning that it is a must include golf course during your stay in St Andrews.

More about Kingsbarns

Distance From Course: 7 miles

The Castle Course is the newest addition to the St Andrews Links golf courses. Opened in 2008, the Castle Course is unmissable and one of the very best golf courses in the area. It is a demanding golf course and a great challenge.

Perched on the rugged clifftop and boasting some of the very best views overlooking the old town of St Andrews, the Castle Course is a great modern links design. The clubhouse at the Castle Course is frequented by golfers and non-golfers alike, offering stunning views and a great place to relax post round.

 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 3 miles