The Castle Course at St Andrews is renowned for its dramatic setting, modern design, and the type of challenge that sticks with you long after the round is over. We headed out with golfers Elliott Wood and Jamie Debrou to gather their first-hand impressions - and their thoughts didn’t disappoint.
First Impressions: A Course Built for Drama
From the moment you arrive, the Castle Course delivers a “wow” factor. Elevated high above St Andrews, the views alone are worth the visit - rugged coastline, panoramic North Sea vistas, and postcard-perfect backdrops frame the entire round.
But as our guests Elliott and Jamie quickly discovered, the most beautiful holes are often the most demanding. The coastal stretch - particularly holes 6, 17 and 18 – leave little room for error. With sloping fairways and cliffs edging the right side, precision instantly becomes your best friend.
“Some of the most picturesque holes are the ones that could pose the biggest challenge,” they noted. “It’s stunning, but you absolutely have to commit to your lines.”
Greens Unlike Any Other in St Andrews
One of the standout features of the Castle Course is its greens. Unlike the traditional, subtle contours you’ll find on the Old and New Courses, these putting surfaces are bold, dramatic, and full of character.
Elliott and Jamie described them as “extremely tricky in places”, with considerable undulation requiring thoughtful strategy. But despite the movement, the greens roll true and consistently, rewarding a confident stroke.
The pin placements were praised as fair, but demanding, giving golfers a proper test without feeling unplayable.
A Scenic Journey from Start to Finish
For many, the defining moment of playing the Castle Course is the breathtaking pairing of the 6th green and the 7th tee, offering a sweeping view back across St Andrews town. It’s one of the most memorable sights on any course within the St Andrews Links.
The rest of the layout maintains that same elevated, cinematic quality. It’s a round where you’ll find yourself reaching for the camera almost as often as for your next club.
Conditions & Course Setup
As with most Scottish coastal courses, the weather plays its part. On a calm day, the Castle Course is enjoyable and scoreable. Add a strong breeze off the North Sea, and suddenly the course feels like a different beast entirely.
“It has the potential to be very windy,” Jamie shared, “and that makes carries far more challenging.”
The course itself is immaculately maintained. Being one of the newer additions to the St Andrews Links, it benefits from pristine turf, modern design features, and excellent long-term conditioning.
Practice facilities also got a thumbs-up, particularly the open driving range and a chipping area featuring practice bunkers - ideal for warming up every part of your game.
Top Three Pro Tips for Playing the Castle Course
We asked Jamie – who also happens to be a PGA pro, for his top pieces of advice for anyone teeing it up at the Castle Course. Here are his essential tips:
1. Find the Fairway – Accuracy is Everything
With tight landing areas and coastal winds, hitting the fairway is crucial. A well-placed tee shot sets up the rest of the hole and helps avoid trouble on the more exposed stretches.
2. Aim for the Correct Portion of the Green
The greens are beautifully contoured but can be punishing if you’re on the wrong side of a slope. Focus on smart approach play and good positioning - giving yourself the right angle could be the difference between a makeable two-putt and a frustrating three-putt.
3. Keep Shots Low When It’s Windy
On breezier days, trajectory control becomes essential. Keeping the ball flight lower helps you avoid losing shots to crosswinds and unpredictable gusts, especially on holes running along the coastline.
Playing the Castle Course at St Andrews is an experience unlike any other. It’s scenic, modern, exciting, and challenging in all the right ways. Whether you’re drawn in by the breathtaking views, the thoughtful design, or the thrilling coastal holes, it’s a round that will stay with you.
With expert preparation and the right strategy, you’ll not only enjoy the course - you’ll appreciate everything that makes it one of the most captivating golfing experiences in Scotland.
