Preview round at The Castle Course at St. Andrews: Nothing like it in Fife

Scotland—The sun is shining, the temperatures are balmy, and the wind is calm. And the Scots are looking around at one another quizzically, almost as if they expect a joke is being played on them.

Of course two days ago, when I was treated to one of the first media rounds on the yet-to-open Castle Course at St. Andrews, it was cloudy and drizzly.

Ah, it’s all about the atmosphere.

Seriously, though, the first new course to be built by the St. Andrews Links Trust since 1914 was a treat to play, especially in this pre-open state. The official public opening is June 28, 2008, and I just received a press release for the rest of the media world offering some preview rounds a week before that.

So I feel honored.

The course, laid out by David Mclay Kidd and shaped by the St. Andrews Links Trust grounds crew, is truly something to behold. From nearly every single tee and green, there is a panoramic view of St. Andrews, and every hole boasts a view of the North Sea.

The greens, however, are what many will remember: Massive, heaving beasties looking more like the coils of Nessie herself than putting surfaces. When they grow in and dry out, they will be monstrous indeed.

All is not ideal, though. The multitude of blind landing areas (OK in themselves) are populated by dozens—hundreds—of grassy hummocks. Some perfect tee shots (even right over the aiming posts) end up nearly unplayable.

In my humble opinion, many of these will need to be removed or at least shaved into playable but still difficult mounds.

All in all, though, The Castle Course, is stunning. And the 17th hole, pictured below, is something the likes of which you will find no where else in Fife, perhaps not even in Scotland. (Tip: Play to the bunker far left of the pin, away from the sea.)

Keep an eye open for a full-fledged review coming to these pages soon.

The 17th at The Castle Course is without peer in Fife. You’ll be talking about it for years.